Semple - History of the Baptists in Virginia - Landmark Baptist

It was in making these attempts that they were so fortunate as to interest in
their behalf the celebrated Patrick Henry. Being always the friend of liberty, he
only needed to be informed of their oppression, when, without hesitation, he
stepped forward to their relief. From that day until the day of their complete
emancipation from the shackles of tyranny, the Baptists found in Patrick Henry
an unwavering friend. May his name descend to posterity with unsullied
honor! After some difficulty they obtained their object, and certain places were
licensed accordingly. But to a people, prompted as the Baptists were with
unwearied zeal for the propagation of the Gospel, a few licensed places in each
county was but a small acquisition. They thirsted for the liberty of preaching
the Gospel to every creature. In the mean time everything tended to favor their
wishes. Their persecution, so far from impeding, really promoted their cause.
Their preachers had now become numerous, and some of them were men of
considerable talents. Many of the leading men favored them, (some from one
motive, and some from another) — their congregations were large, and when
any of their men of talents preached they were crowded. The patient manner in
which they suffered persecution raised their reputation for piety and goodness
in the estimation of a large majority of the people. Their numbers annually
increased in a surprising degree. Every month new places were found by the
preachers whereon to plant the Redeemer’s standard. In these places, although
but few might become Baptists, yet the majority would be favorable. Many
that had expressed great hostility to them, upon forming a closer acquaintance
with them professed to be undeceived. We have already seen that the first
Separate Baptist church north of James river was formed in 1767, and the
second in 1769; so that at the commencement of the year 1770 there were but
two Separate churches in all Virginia north of James river; and, we may add,
there were not more than about four on the south side. In 1774, by referring to
the history of the General Association, we find that there were thirty on the
south and twenty-four on the north side that sent letters, etc., to the
Association, besides a probability of several that did not associate. This must
be considered a very rapid increase for so short a time. The Baptist interest
increased in a much greater proportion. So favorable did their prospects appear
that towards the close of the year 1774 they began to entertain serious hopes,
not only of obtaining liberty of conscience, but of actually overturning the
Church Establishment, from whence all their oppression had arisen. Petitions
for this purpose were accordingly drawn and circulated with great industry. f33
Vast numbers readily, and indeed eagerly, subscribed to them. The great
success and rapid increase of the Baptists in Virginia must be ascribed
primarily to the power of God working with them; yet it cannot be denied but
that there were subordinate and co-operating causes, one of which, and the
main one, was the loose and immoral deportment of the Established clergy, by
which the people were left almost destitute of even the shadow of true religion.