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Separate Baptists INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRINTING BULLETINS Note: Print half as many lasers as needed since each sheet of paper has 2 bulletins. Printing on a light tan or cream colored paper will provide a more historical look. If using a printer which prints 2-sided: Print page 2 on the front side and page 3 on the back side—landscape (horizontal) printing. If using a printer which prints 1-sided: Print page 2, then flip paper, place back in tray and print page 3—landscape (horizontal) printing. After printing, cut printed bulletins in half. A swing-arm cutter works best. Bulletins are copyrighted material. For permission to reprint any text or images, please contact: Pamela R. Durso by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (678) 547-6095. CELEBRATING 400 YEARS CELEBRATING 400 YEARS OF BEING BAPTIST Separate Baptists OF BEING BAPTIST Separate Baptists he First Great Awakening, a revival he First Great Awakening, a revival Tmovement that began in the 1720s, Tmovement that began in the 1720s, was a turning point for Baptists in was a turning point for Baptists in America. Prior to 1720, Baptists had America. Prior to 1720, Baptists had established only 32 churches with 1,699 established only 32 churches with 1,699 members. Initially ignoring or opposing members. Initially ignoring or opposing the awakening, most Baptists eventually the awakening, most Baptists eventually warmed to and then later completely warmed to and then later completely embraced the revival spirit. As a result, embraced the revival spirit. As a result, Kiokee Baptist Church by 1790, Baptists had 978 churches with Kiokee Baptist Church by 1790, Baptists had 978 churches with Oldest Baptist church in Georgia 67,320 members. Oldest Baptist church in Georgia 67,320 members. Among those who embraced revivalism were the Separate Baptists. Unlike Among those who embraced revivalism were the Separate Baptists. Unlike the Particular Baptists (strong Calvinists), Separate Baptists (more moderate the Particular Baptists (strong Calvinists), Separate Baptists (more moderate Calvinists) emphasized evangelistic preaching, boisterous worship services, Calvinists) emphasized evangelistic preaching, boisterous worship services, and emotional conversion experiences. They were also known for a greater and emotional conversion experiences. They were also known for a greater openness to women’s leadership, and some Separate Baptist women served as openness to women’s leadership, and some Separate Baptist women served as deaconesses and eldresses. Others preached and prayed in public worship. deaconesses and eldresses. Others preached and prayed in public worship. The best-known Separate Baptist woman is Martha Stearns Marshall. The best-known Separate Baptist woman is Martha Stearns Marshall. Along with her husband, Daniel, Martha converted to Christianity during the Along with her husband, Daniel, Martha converted to Christianity during the First Great Awakening. The couple eventually migrated from New England to First Great Awakening. The couple eventually migrated from New England to Virginia, where they were introduced to Baptist beliefs. Concluding that scrip- Virginia, where they were introduced to Baptist beliefs. Concluding that scrip- ture taught believer’s baptism, they were soon baptized and joined a Baptist ture taught believer’s baptism, they were soon baptized and joined a Baptist church, and Daniel was licensed to preach. But both Marshalls were preachers, church, and Daniel was licensed to preach. But both Marshalls were preachers, and Martha’s zeal apparently equaled that of her husband. and Martha’s zeal apparently equaled that of her husband. In 1755, the Marshalls, along with Martha’s brother Shubal Stearns and In 1755, the Marshalls, along with Martha’s brother Shubal Stearns and his small congregation in Virginia, moved to North Carolina. The group settled his small congregation in Virginia, moved to North Carolina. The group settled at Sandy Creek and established a Baptist church, which became the most influ- at Sandy Creek and established a Baptist church, which became the most influ- ential Separate Baptist church in the South, and Martha often stood alongside ential Separate Baptist church in the South, and Martha often stood alongside Shubal to preach at church meetings. A few years later, the Marshalls moved to Shubal to preach at church meetings. A few years later, the Marshalls moved to nearby Abbott’s Creek and founded a new church, and in 1771, they moved to nearby Abbott’s Creek and founded a new church, and in 1771, they moved to Columbia County, Georgia, where they established in Kiokee the first Baptist Columbia County, Georgia, where they established in Kiokee the first Baptist church in Georgia. church in Georgia. In all these churches, Martha provided excellent leadership, and in 1810, In all these churches, Martha provided excellent leadership, and in 1810, Virginia Baptist historian Robert Semple wrote: “Mr. Marshall had a rare felicity Virginia Baptist historian Robert Semple wrote: “Mr. Marshall had a rare felicity of finding in this lady a Priscilla, a helper in the gospel. In fact, it should not of finding in this lady a Priscilla, a helper in the gospel. In fact, it should not be concealed that his extraordinary success in the ministry is ascribable in no be concealed that his extraordinary success in the ministry is ascribable in no small degree to Mrs. Marshall’s unwearied, and zealous co-operation. Without small degree to Mrs. Marshall’s unwearied, and zealous co-operation. Without the shadow of a usurped authority over the other sex, Mrs. Marshall, being a lady the shadow of a usurped authority over the other sex, Mrs. Marshall, being a lady of good sense, singular piety, and surprising elocution, has, in countless instances of good sense, singular piety, and surprising elocution, has, in countless instances melted a whole concourse into tears by her prayers and exhortations!” melted a whole concourse into tears by her prayers and exhortations!” BAPTIST HERITAGE RESOURCES BAPTIST HERITAGE RESOURCES Portraits of Courage: Stories The Center for Baptist Studies Portraits of Courage: Stories The Center for Baptist Studies of Baptist Heroes produces a free monthly e-journal, of Baptist Heroes produces a free monthly e-journal, by Julie Whidden Long The Baptist Studies Bulletin, which by Julie Whidden Long The Baptist Studies Bulletin, which 128-page book designed for is distributed through e-mail. 128-page book designed for is distributed through e-mail. younger youth and older children younger youth and older children The Center also offers an on-line The Center also offers an on-line certifi cate program in Baptist studies certifi cate program in Baptist studies for both laity and clergy; timely and for both laity and clergy; timely and relevant educational conferences; relevant educational conferences; and a website with valuable Baptist and a website with valuable Baptist resources. For more information, visit resources. For more information, visit www.centerforbaptiststudies.org. www.centerforbaptiststudies.org. The Baptist History and Heritage The Baptist History and Heritage Society publishes a journal, Baptist Society publishes a journal, Baptist History and Heritage, and newsletter, History and Heritage, and newsletter, Baptist Heritage Update. The Society Baptist Heritage Update. The Society Special Price also has an informative website, which Special Price also has an informative website, which $12.80 features an on-line resource catalog, $12.80 features an on-line resource catalog, List price $16.00 a membership application, and List price $16.00 a membership application, and Price good through March 31, 2009. Price good through March 31, 2009. a new series of articles titled a new series of articles titled To order this resource, “History Speaks to Hard Questions To order this resource, “History Speaks to Hard Questions e-mail [email protected] Baptists Ask.” For more information, e-mail [email protected] Baptists Ask.” For more information, or call 678-547-6095. visit www.baptisthistory.org. or call 678-547-6095. visit www.baptisthistory.org. Baptist History and Heritage Society Baptist History and Heritage Society 3001 Mercer University Drive The Center for Baptist Studies 3001 Mercer University Drive The Center for Baptist Studies Atlanta, GA 30341 Mercer University Atlanta, GA 30341 Mercer University www.baptisthistory.org 1400 Coleman Avenue www.baptisthistory.org 1400 Coleman Avenue Charles W. Deweese, executive director Macon, GA 31207 Charles W. Deweese, executive director Macon, GA 31207 Pamela R. Durso, www.centerforbaptiststudies.org Pamela R. Durso, www.centerforbaptiststudies.org associate executive director-treasurer Bruce T. Gourley, interim director associate executive director-treasurer Bruce T. Gourley, interim director This bulletin insert is the second of twelve to be provided monthly during 2009 by the Baptist History This bulletin insert is the second of twelve to be provided monthly during 2009 by the Baptist History and Heritage Society and The Center for Baptist Studies. The article was written by Pamela R. Durso, and Heritage Society and The Center for Baptist Studies. The article was written by Pamela R. Durso, associate executive director-treasurer, Baptist History and Heritage Society. associate executive director-treasurer, Baptist History and Heritage Society. .
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