Benjamin Allen's 1832 report concerning the withdrawal of Beargrass Baptist from the Long Run Baptist Association

Benjamin Allen reported five Baptist congregations were disfellowshipped from the Long Run Baptist Association in September of 1831 or 1832. The issue was their refusal to support the Philadelphia Confession of Faith. Alexander Campbell encouraged Baptists to accept the Bible as the only guide to matters of faith and to reject all creeds and confessions of faith. Beargrass Baptist had first raised the issue at the association's annual meeting in 1826. Beargrass was among the congregations that were kicked out of the association. Alexander Campbell included Allen's report in the December 1832 issue of his journal The Millennial Harbinger that he edited in support of the growing "Reformation" movement. Benjamin Allen provided pastoral leadership for his resident church, Harrod's Creek Baptist, and others including Beargrass.

I expect you have heard that the Long Run Association, at its last annual meeting, which was held on the first Friday in September last; counted five of her churches unworthy of her fellowship-because they would not agree to support the Philadelphia Confession of Faith. These churches are known by the names of Bear Grass, Chinoweth's Run, Herod's Creek, Floyd's Fork, and South Long Run. In each of these churches there were parts or small fractions that were received by the Association as loyal subjects of the Creed. I once intended to have given you a full account of the proceedings of that body for two or three years past; but it is so much of the same complexion with those you have so often noticed, that I now think it useless. Brother Z. Carpenter, who is of good report as an intelligent godly man, and a member of the Association for upwards of twenty years, has suffered much in feeling and character by their ungodly course. He has determined to publish a history of their proceedings. We have had several union meetings, at which much love and christian feeling were manifested. The Herods creek church, of which I am a member, had a few of those old Baptists, (as they are called,) who kept the church in confusion for near two years; but, a separation having taken place in August last, (of about 17 members out of 200,) we are beginning now to exhibit our true character, and to progress in the Reformation. We have immersed for the remission of sins, in the bounds of my labors, within two months past, about 80. I have, in four weeks, baptized 61. A visit from brother William Morton, in the last month, has much refreshed and strengthened the disciples, and been the means of bringing many into the kingdom. Among those who have been immersed, there are many of our most respectable citizens, male and female, from the age of thirteen to sixty; and also some from the different sects in our vicinity. I have had the unspeakable pleasure to immerse my oldest son, now in his twentieth year, and little daughter, thirteen years old. The elder brethren express much concern for the young disciples, that they may go on to know the Lord, and abound in every good work.

B. Allen, Jefferson county Ky.