 |
| Robert Baylor Semple, who wrote this biography of John Waller for his book "History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia" in 1810 |
No character has as yet passed before us, more worthy of notice than the present.
He was born, December 23, 1741, in Spotsylvania county; was a descendant of the honorable family of Wallers in England. At a very early period, he manifested a great talent for satyrical wit. This determined his uncle, who had the direction of his education, to bring him up for the law. He was put to a grammar school; and made an encouraging advancement in the dead languages. His uncle’s death and his father’s narrow resources, added to his own unbridled inclination to vice, prevented him from finishing even his classical education. He now began indeed to study, not the laws of the land, but those of the gaming table. Letting himself loose to every species of wickedness and profanity, he quickly acquired for himself the infamous appellation of, Swearing Jack Waller; by which he was distinguished from others of the same name. So far did he indulge his mischievous temper that he once had three warrants served on him at the same time, on account of one uproar. It was frequently remarked by the common people, “that there could be no deviltry among the people, unless Swearing Jack was at the head of it.” He was sometimes called, the Devil’s adjutant to muster his troops. To these, may be added, his fury against the Baptists. He was one of the grandjury who presented L. Craig for preaching. This happily terminated in his good. Craig, in order to turn their mischievous intentions into something beneficial, watched the demission of the grandjury; and in order to gain their attention, more certainly, bought them a mug of grog. After he had gotten them together, he began, “I thank you, gentlemen of the grandjury, for the honour you have done me. While I was wicked and injurious, you took no notice of me; but since I have altered my course of life, and endeavoured to reform my neighbours, you concern yourselves much about me. I have gotten this mug[2] of grog, to treat you with; and shall take the spoiling of my goods joyfully.” When Mr. W. heard him speak in that manner, and observed the meekness of his spirit, he was convinced that Craig was possessed of something that he had never seen in man before. He thought within himself, that he should be happy if he could be of the same religion with Mr. Craig. From this time, he began to attend their meetings. And was found of the Holy Spirit. The commandment came and he died. He saw and felt himself a sinner. He now, for the first time, except in blaspheming, began to call upon the name of the Lord. His convictions were deep and pungent. He ate no pleasant bread and drank no pleasant water, for seven or eight months. He was almost in despair. He relates his exercises in the following words:
“I had long felt the greatest abhorrence of myself; and began almost to despair of the mercy of God. However, I determined in my own soul, never to rest from seeing, until it pleased God to show mercy or cut me off. Under these impressions, I was at a certain place, fitting under preaching. On a sudden, a man exclaimed, that he found grace; and began to praise God. No mortal can describe the horror with which I was seized at that instant. I began to conclude my damnation was certain. Leaving the meeting I hastened into a neighbouring wood, and dropped on my knees before God, to beg for mercy. In an instant, I felt my heart melt, and a sweet application of the Redeemer’s love to my poor soul. The calm was great; but short.”
 |
| Drawing of a Circuit Rider, which John was, by Frank Beard from the General Commission on Archives and History |
By the time Messr. Harris and Read came on their next tour, he felt sufficiently confident to become a candidate for baptism; and going up into Orange county, was there baptized by Mr. Read, some time in the year 1767. Baptism was to him, as it was been to thousands, a sanctified ordinance. His soul received great accession of strength and comfort. Christ was revealed in him. Having contracted debts by dissipation, he sold property to pay them. He conferred not with flesh and blood, but began to preach, that men ought every where to repent. It was not long before his labours became effectual, at least, in one way. That arch enemy of souls, whom he had served so faithfully before, now began to roar in hideous peals against him. He succeeded in raising up a powerful opposition.
At length, it was thought proper to constitute a church, in Mr. Waller’s neighbourhood; who making choice of him as pastor, he was ordained to the work of the ministry, June 20th 1770. He now began to lengthen his cords. Bending his course downwards, he baptized Rev. William Webber, being the first he did baptize. October, 1770, accompanied by J. Burrus, he travelled down as far as Middlesex. Where ever he went, he was attended by a divine power; turning many to righteousness. His name sounded far and wide. By the ungodly, he was considered as a bold, inexorable fanatic, that would do much mischief unless restrained. The Baptists and their adherents looked upon him as set for the defense of their cause; and with much confidence rallied around him as their leader. His persecutions and imprisonment in Caroline, in Middlesex, in Essex, etc. have been already mentioned in our General History.
In this bright and burning way, Waller continued until 1775 or 1776, when he formed an acquaintance with one Williams, a preacher of some talents, apparent piety, and in Mr. Wesley’s connexion, consequently an Arminian; this man, by his conversation and books, so wrought upon Mr. Waller’s mind, as to bring him over to believe the Arminian system. Knowing this to be contrary to the opinions of his brethren, he resolved to make a bold effort to preach and argue his principles at the next association; and thereby convince his brethren; or failing in this to submit to be cut off from them. Accordingly, he took his text I Cor. 13. 11. In his exordium, he stated, that when young and inexperienced in religion, he had fallen in with the Calvinistic plan; but that becoming more expert in doctrine, or in the language of his text, when he became a man, he put away these childish notions. He then went lengthily into the arguments. For want of truth, or for want of talents, he made few, if any converts to his opinions; and of course, had to confront the whole host of preachers and members now assembled. Mr. Waller, foreseeing his fate, took the shorter and more reputable course. Instead of awaiting a fair trial, he proclaimed himself an independent Baptist preacher. This step was probably resorted to by Waller, under an expectation that his popularity was so great, that he should be able to bring over many of the churches to his party. Be it as it may, he immediately commenced his operations on an extensive plan. On his return from the association, he used his utmost endeavor to form a strong party. He preached from house to house; spread his wings over a large field of ministerial labour; ordained lay elders in every neighbourhood, to prevent inroads; and also several helps in the ministry. He also established what he called camp meetings; in which, they continued together several days, under certain written regulations, of which the following is an extract.
Camp Meeting Regulations
I. No female, on any account whatever, shall be permitted to stay in the camp, later than an hour by sun at night; nor appear in the camp, earlier than an hour by sun in the morning.
II. The persons in the camp, shall depend for sustenance, during the camp meeting, on the friendly hospitality of the neighbourhood.
III. Any person in camp, waking at any period of the night may pray or sing, without disturbing the slumbers of others.
The novelty of these meetings, excited the attention of the people in such a manner, that great multitudes crowded after him.
By these means, his party gained strength daily. Few men possessed greater talents for heading a party of this description, than Mr. Waller. The only thing in which he was deficient, was, that he could not be happy while separated from his brethren. He used to say, that in the midst of apparent prosperity and the caresses of his friends, he still yearned after the people of God from whom he had withdrawn. Some years after his restoration, he said to a young preacher who was dissatisfied, and talked of dissenting, “If you could have a distant view of my suffering and leanness of soul, while a dissenter from my brethren, you would never again indulge such a thought”. He was again fully reinstated in connection with his brethren, in 1787; when a full union between Separates, Regulars and Independents was accomplished.[3]
A very great revival commenced under Mr. Waller’s ministry, in 1787. This continued for several years; and spread through all his places of preaching. In this revival he was greatly engaged; and baptized from first to last, many hundred. Early in this revival, Mr. A. Waller, son of his brother Benjamin, was brought in; and in some few years began to preach. Mr. Waller immediately recognized him as his successor; and declared that he believed his work in that part of the earth was finished. Accordingly, November 8th 1793 after taking the most affectionate farewell of the churches, he moved his family to Abbeville, in the state of South Carolina. This removal was said to have arisen, partly from economical considerations, and partly from a strong desire on his own, and on the part of his wife, to live near a beloved daughter; who had some time previously, married Rev. Abraham Marshall, of Georgia. Perhaps there might be other causes. His labours in his new residence, were also blessed; but not to a great extent. He remained, however, faithful in the cause, until his death; which took place, July the 4th, 1802.
His death was, as might be hoped and expected truly glorious. His eldest son describes it, in the following words:
“His conflict with death, as it respected bodily affliction, was truly hard; but his soul appeared to be happy indeed! Never did I witness such a resignation and Christian fortitude before! He was reduced to a perfect skeleton; and, in several places, the skin was rubbed off his bones. His pains appeared to be excruciating; but no murmur was heard from his lips. On the contrary, he would often say, “I have a good Master; who does not give me one stroke too hard, or one too many.”
“The last sermon he preached, was on the death of a young man. The text on which he preached, was Zachariah 2.4. `Run speak to this young man.’ He addressed himself chiefly to youth; in feeble, but animating strains: observing that he counted upon its being the last sermon he should ever preach; and fervently prayed, that, Sampson like, he might slay more at his death than he had done in his life. He continued speaking until his strength failed him. And with reeling steps, he advanced to a bed; where we thought he would have expired. From thence he was removed home in a carriage, for the last time. He said, as to his soul, he was under no concern; as he had given it to Jesus long since: and he was under no doubt but what his Master would provide a mansion for it. Just before his departure, he summoned all his family around him, black and white; and told them, he was anxious to be gone and to be present with Christ: and then warned them to walk in the fear of God; cordially shook hands with all; and soon after, with a pleasant countenance, breathed his last and fell asleep in Jesus. I looked on the corpse, with these words fresh in my mind:
“O lovely appearance of death.”
Thus this great man of God, conquered the last enemy and ascended to that rest, that remaineth for the people of God. He died in the sixty second year of his age; having been a minister of God’s word for about thirty five years; having in that time, lain in four different jails, for the space of one hundred and thirteen days, in all; besides buffetings, stripes, reproaches, etc. Nor was his labour in vain in the Lord. While in Virginia, he baptized more than two thousand persons; assisted in the ordination of twenty seven ministers; and helped to constitute eighteen churches. For many years, he had the ministerial care of five churches; to whom he preached statedly.
As a preacher, his talents in the pulpit, were not above mediocrity; but he was certainly a man of very strong mind. His talents for art and intrigue, were equaled by few. This he exercised sometimes, as it was thought, beyond the innocence of the dove. He was perhaps too emulous to carry his favourite points; especially in associations. Yet it must be owned, that such influence as he acquired in this way he always endeavoured to turn to the glory of God.
He had been married to Miss E. Curtis, previous to his becoming religious. By her he had a number of children; some of whom the old man had the happiness to see profess the same faith with himself.
[1] I transcribed this text with the original spellings and punctuation but changed the style of the letter “s” which in the 1810 text looked like an “f”.
[2] Mr. Craig was remarkably pious and zealous; availing himself of every opportunity to inculcate the gospel of Christ. He knew the grog was the most certain way to command the attention of the grandjury, to whom he desired to offer a lecture. “Be ye wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
[3] A partial restoration had taken place some years before this so that Mr. Waller and his party met in association with the Separate Baptists.
No comments:
Post a Comment