LP-41-William Baxter

William Baxter

WILLIAM BAXTER was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, July 6, 1820, and emigrated, with his parents, to the United States, in the year 1828. His parents were members of the English Church; consequently his early religious training was in accordance with the Episcopal faith. His natural inclinations, however, did not lead him to sympathize with the church of his parents. He sought church connections where his warm, impulsive, and generous nature would find more scope and freedom. Hence, when about sixteen years of age, he became a member of the Methodist Protestant Church in Alleghany City. But this position was destined to be only temporary. He found the Methodists a zealous and active people, and, so far, he was satisfied with his religious connections. But, as he became more and more acquainted with the Bible, he was fully convinced that he had not obeyed the Gospel according to the teaching of the New Testament. This conviction soon led him to demand a Scriptural baptism, and he was accordingly immersed, in 1838, by the lamented Samuel Church, who was then pastor of the church in Alleghany City. In the year 1841, he entered Bethany College as a student, and, after remaining four years, graduated in 1845, having, in the meantime, given considerable promise as a preacher of the Gospel. After leaving college he entered at once actively upon the work of the ministry. He preached one year for the brethren in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; then three years at Port Gibson, Mississippi; next, Wilkinson County, Mississippi, seven years; next at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Fayetteville, Arkansas, four years; and finally, at Cincinnati and New Lisbon, Ohio. At the former place he labored for the Sixth-street Church about two years, and at the latter he is at present located, where he is doing an excellent work in building up and strengthening the cause of Christ in that part of the State. He has also been quite successful as a teacher, having filled, in a satisfactory manner, the Chair of Belles-Lettres in Newton College, Mississippi, and, more recently, the Presidency of Arkansas College, at Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Besides publishing a volume of poems in 1852, he has been, for many years, a regular contributor to several public journals. Among these may be mentioned the "Ladies’ Repository," "Southern Literary Messenger," and "Millennial Harbinger." In 1864, he published a volume entitled "Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove; or, Scenes and Incidents of the War in Arkansas."

Brother Baxter is rather small of stature, but compactly built; has strongly-marked features, with a nervous, excitable temperament. Although in years past he has been in feeble health, he looks now as if his health was quite vigorous. But his constitution is one which needs constant, careful watching.

Both as a writer and speaker he is chaste and easy in style, while his thoughts are always pure and elevating. He has deep and tender sympathies, with large and active benevolence; consequently the poor and distressed never came to him in vain. As a pastor of a church, he is attentive to the real wants of his people, and labors earnestly for their spiritual advancement. In this department of labor he has been eminently successful.