09 Trip with E.D. Thomas
09. Trip with E.D. Thomas Autobigraphy - James H. Oliphant
CHAPTER IX. In company with Elder E. D. Thomas I first visited the North District association, in Kentucky, in the fall of 1885. It was held that year with the Cane Spring church. Elder William Rupard was the moderator. Elder Rupard was among the best preachers I ever met.
While he was able and sound in doctrine, he was deeply experimental, and was a comforting preacher. I also met here Elder James J. Gilbert, whom I have greatly enjoyed for many years. He was an able minister. I also met Elders Cris Newland, J. N. Culton and others. These churches were well taught and were an excellent body of Baptists. I do not remember better listeners than attended at that meeting at Cane Spring, and it seemed easy to preach to them. On my return home I visited Goshen church, and I received numerous invitations to visit them again. In 1886 I visited the association again, and this year it was held at Liberty church. I tried to preach Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I felt impressed that I must preach there on Monday, and Elder Rupard consented to it. On Monday the large house was full of people and solemnity rested on every face. I tried to preach, and Elder Rupard extended the opportunity for members, and Brother Boone Elkins came and gave his hand. When the song closed, Elder Rupard said, "What do you want, Boone?" He replied, "For forty years I have had a little hope and have been waiting for a better one, and have concluded to come with the hope I had forty years ago." While he was talking his daughters came and put their arms around his neck, and gave a reason of their hope. A lady on the second seat back called Elder Rupard and told him she wanted to join, but was so crowded she could not get out. Without another song or word of exhortation they continued to come forward until twenty-four were added to the church. Tears flowed freely from all eyes and all were melted in love. Elder Rupard remained and baptized the people the next day, and I went to Lulbegrud church, where others joined. I think there were one hundred persons joined the church during my visit among them. I never saw more evidence of the hand of the Lord with me than I saw among the churches there. When we preach of the power of God in conversion of sinners, and then have it proven by converts coming and bearing witness to it in their experiences, it is inexpressibly good, and this was my happy privilege on this visit. I shall ever remember those dear brethren.
Brother Columbus Thompson, of Winchester, Kentucky, and Brother David Chenault, of Richmond, were dear brethren to me, and others that I have not space to name. Many of them are gone to their rest in heaven. I continued to visit these people almost every year for twenty years. On one trip my wife went with me and enjoyed it very much. Many noble people will be greatly disappointed if there is not a heaven. We enjoyed a foretaste of it often among these people. I often heard the members shout the praise of God while among them.
I also visited in the Tates Creek association, near the North District association, where I met Elder Henry Clark. I dearly loved him for his gentleness and firmness as a Primitive Baptist, but death has taken away hundreds of these dear people, and nearly all the elders have gone. It has been some years since I visited among them. We hope to meet again where there is no parting. We have thought of it and talked of it and sung of it, many years, and we hope some sweet day to realize all our hopes.