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what of his antecedents, that he should show such
leadership in so poor a cause? Following is a brief
sketch of him found in the Baptist Encyclopedia:
"Reared on the frontiers of Georgia, he was
without education, uncouth in manners, slovenly in
dress, and unprepossessing in appearance. His en-
thusiasm bordered on insanity. In 1819 he came
into Illinois and at once began to attract attention.
He sought notoriety as a writer, and was anxious to
use the columns of the Columbian Star, published in
Washington City. His articles were rejected. In
revenge, he attacked not only the paper but also
all that it advocated, such as missions, education,
etc. His peculiar doctrine was that of "Two Seeds"
--a phase of Manicheeism. As the Missionary
Union was organized in 1814, it is fair to suppose
that its purpose and methods were beginning to be
known throughout the denomination.
As a matter worthy of note, let it be said that
however at opposite poles Alexander Campbell and
Daniel Parker were in many of their teachings, they
are one at this time in their opposition to missions,
education, Sunday schools, a paid ministry, and all
that. It is not difficult to understand how a hyper-
Calvinist should oppose the use of means by the
church; but how an Arminian should equally fight
all missionary effort it is hard to see. And yet these
two representatives of these two diverse doctrines
stand together in antagonizing the aggressive opera-
tions of the churches. The opposition began not
in a dogmatic but in an interrogative way. This
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query was sent to the Association at its annual
meeting in 1818: "Are the principles and practices
of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, in its
present operations, justifiable and agreeable to gos-
pel order?" In 1819 the Association said: "It is not
agreeable to gospel order" ("gospel order" seems to
have been a convenient term to juggle with).
In 1820 the following request was sent to the
Maria Creek church:
"Dear Brethren: United as we are in the bonds
of christian love, it is our happiness to render that
respect to the Association which the goodness and
wisdom of our brethren thus assembled demand. In
your last minutes you informed us that the prin-
ciples and practices of the Baptist Board of Foreign
Missions were not justifiable according to gospel
order; but you omitted telling us where we were
wrong. We do not wish any of our members to
do wrong, and if it be improper for them to aid the
Board of Missions, we desire to know the nature of
the evils, that we may endeavor to reclaim our
brethren who may offend in the case. We there-
fore humbly request the Association to point out
to us the wickedness of the Baptist Board of Foreign
Missions, and ii will be our happiness to avoid
everything which we conceive contrary to the mind
and will of Christ."
The Association answers: "We hope no use will
be made of the decision of the last Association rel-
ative to the subject of missions, to the distress of
Zion, contrary to the commands of Christ." It is
