VIII.
WHITE-ITES.
As we have never seen
this sect noticed in any of the general summaries of religious denominations in
our country, we have thought it might be well to insert a sketch of them in the
Memorial, for the use of future historians. It is an isolated sect, found
principally in Western Georgia and Eastern Alabama. It is composed of the
followers of Rev. Cyrus White, who was once a preacher of some reputation
amongst the Baptists of Georgia. He embraced Arminian sentiments, and as the
Georgia Baptists have ever been noted, (until at least of late years,) for a
rigid adherence to what are termed Calvinistic principles, they soon came in
collision with each other. Strife ensued, animosities were engendered, and, as
is common in most cases of controversy, every attempt to heal the breach served
but to widen it. Both parties evidently ran into extremes. On the one side,
something of a spirit of intolerance was manifested; and on the other, obstinacy,
resentment, and an undue emulation. The one party, anxious to expose the heresy
of the other, would put a construction upon words which the speaker never designed
they should have. The other, too proud to disclaim the uncourteous imputations,
would evade them. But from the evading of charges to the vindicating of that
with which we are charged, the transition is easy; and we are often led from
the one to the other by insensible degrees. So it happened with Cyrus White.
Had he never been opposed with violence, it is not probable that he ever would
have become a schismatic. This is the conclusion to which we have been led by
an impartial review of the past. With the controversy itself we never had any
thing to do; for we were not a resident of the State at the time that it was
pending.
The result of the
controversy was, that the Baptists of Georgia, in 1830, withdrew their
fellowship from White and his adherents. The latter established a standard of
their own, and have labored with great zeal to propagate their views. Several
churches have been built up under their labors, and formed into an association
which they denominate the “Chattahooche United Baptist Association.” This
association, in 1840, reported twenty-one churches, eight ordained ministers,
one licentiate, 227 baptized, and a total of 766 members. Its churches are
located as follows: In Georgia, there are two in Early, two in Randolph, three
in Stewart, one in Marion, one in Talbot, two in Muscogee, three in Harris,
and one in Decatur; total in Georgia, 15 churches, and 539 members. In
Alabama, there are four churches in Russel, and two in Chambers; total in
Alabama, six churches, and 227 members.
The association, at its
session in 1839, appointed a committee “to endeavor to effect a correspondence
with the Free Will Baptists of North Carolina.” At its session in 1840, the
committee reported, “that they wrote a letter of correspondence to these
brethren, and that they have received no answer.” During the same session, (in
1840) delegates from the United Baptist Association were received, and a
resolution passed to reciprocate the correspondence. It was also resolved, “to
make an effort to open a correspondence with the following
associations—Concord, Mount Zion, and Duck, in Tennessee, by letter and
delegates.”
White (who is still
living,*) and his partizans are undoubtedly Arminians in doctrine. They are
also charged by some with being Socinians, but this charge is certainly not
well sustained. They agree with us in our views of gospel baptism, but practice
mixed communion, and are strenuous advocates for camp meetings; appointments
for which are usually made at their annual meetings, and published in their
minutes. We conclude with cautioning the reader against confounding the “Chattahooche
United Baptist Association,” with the Chattahooche Association of United
Baptists. The latter is an orthodox, efficient, and liberal body of Baptists in
the upper part of Georgia, a succinct history of which was published in the
Christian Index in August last.
* He resides near Wacooche, in Russell County, Alabama,
about twenty miles above Columbus, Ga.
This history is found on pages 77-78 of The Baptist Memorial and Monthly Chronicle
(March 15, 1842) and, apparently written by Adiel
Sherwood.
