Origin of the Baptists

S. H. Ford

Samuel H. Ford, Son of Rev. Thomas H. Ford, was licensed in 1840, passed through the classes in the State University of Missouri, and was ordained in 1843, at Bonne Femme church, in Boone Co., Mo.  He became pastor at Jefferson City, Mo., and in two years after of the North church in St. Louis for two years; also at Cape Girardeau, Mo., and the East Baptist church, Louisville, Ky.  In 1853 he was associated with Dr. John L. Waller in the editorship of the Western Recorder and Christian Repository.  Of the latter he is still the editor.  His talented wife has written "Grace Truman," "The Dreamer's Blind Daughter," and other works of great value.  At the breaking out of the war, Dr. Ford went to Memphis, where he preached for some time.  For two years he was in Mobile as pastor of the St. Francis Street church.  At the close of the war he accepted the pastorate of the Central Baptist church of Memphis, where he preached for seven years, till ill health caused him to resign.  While in this church he was instrumental in building a capacious and splendid house of worship, upon which $75,000 were expended during his pastorate, and in increasing the membership from 75 to 450.  Dr. Ford has received the honorary degree of L.L.D.  He preaches without manuscript, is earnest and eloquent, and many hundreds have been converted under his ministry.  He is a firm Baptist, and he has had discussions with Alexander Campbell, Bishop Spaulding, of the Catholic church, and Dr. N. L. Rice.  Dr. Ford is a Hebrew and Syriac scholar; he is well read in general literature, and is specially familiar with the Romish controversy.  In his theology he is a Calvinist.  In the past twenty-seven years he has written upon almost every subject bearing on the religious issues of the times.  He is now sixty years of age, and is as active, energetic, and laborious as ever.  Baptists in all parts of our country and the British provinces, and in the British islands, wish length of years to the learned editor of the Repository, and to his cultured and talented wife.

Cathcart's Baptist Encyclopedia, 1881

CONTENTS

Introduction, J.R. Graves

Where did the Baptists Come From?

 

MILESTONE I - CENTURY XVIII

Chapter 1 - Baptists in Virginia

 

MILESTONE II - CENTURY XVII

Chapter 2 - Baptists in England—Cromwell and the Stuarts

 

MILESTONE III - CENTURY XVI

Chapter 3 - The Reformation

 

MILESTONE IV - CENTURY XV

Chapter 4 - Wales, Bohemia, Germany

 

MILESTONE V - CENTURY XIV

Chapter 5 - Wickliffe and the Lollards

 

MILESTONE VI - CENTURY XII

Chapter 6 - Pete de Brue

 

MILESTONE VII - CENTURY XII

Chapter 7 -  Henry of Lausanne, Peter de Bruis, Arnold of Brescia, Arnold of Brescia

 

MILESTONE VIII - CENTURY X

Chapter 8 - Baptists in Italy

 

MILESTONE IX - CENTURY VIII

Chapter 9 - Retrospect

 

MILESTONE X - CENTURY VII

Chapter 10 - Montenses

 

MILESTONE XI - CENTURY VI

Chapter 11 - Donatists

 

MILESTONE XII - CENTURY V

Chapter 12 - Numidians

 

MILESTONE XIII - CENTURY III

Chapter 13 - Novatians

 

MILESTONE XIV - CENTURY II

Chapter 14 - Tertullianists

 

MILESTONE XV - CENTURY I

Chapter 15 - The Primitive Churches