Semple - History of the Baptists in Virginia - Landmark Baptist

A HISTORY OF THE RISE AND
PROGRESS OF THE BAPTISTS IN
VIRGINIA.
BY ROBERT B. SEMPLE.
CHAPTER 1. — OF THE ORIGIN OF THE SEPARATE
BAPTISTS.
THE Baptists of Virginia originated from three sources. The first were
emigrants from England, who, about the year 1714, settled in the southeastern
parts of the State.
About 1743 another party came from Maryland and formed a settlement in the
northwest.
Each of these will be treated of in their proper places.
A third party, from New England, having acted the most distinguished part,
first demands our attention.
By the preaching of Mr. Whitefield through New England a great work of God
broke out in that country, distinguished by the name of the New Light Stir. All
who joined it were called New Lights. Many preachers of the established order
became active in the work. Their success was so great that numbers of the
parish clergy, who were opposed to the revival, were apprehensive that they
should be deserted by all their hearers. They therefore not only refused them
the use of their meeting-houses, but actually procured the passage of a law to
confine all preachers to their own parishes. This opposition did not effect the
intended object. The hearts of the people, being touched by a heavenly flame,
could no longer relish the dry parish service, conducted, for the most part, as
they thought, by a set of graceless mercenaries.
The New Light Stir being extensive, a great number were converted to the
Lord. These, conceiving that the parish congregations, a few excepted, were
far from the purity of the Gospel, determined to form a society to themselves.
Accordingly, they embodied many churches. Into these none were admitted
who did not profess vital religion. Having thus separated themselves from the
established churches, they were denominated Separates. Their church