This Day in Baptist History III

This Day in Baptist History III is an interesting daily devotional. It contains a collection of 366 captivating vignettes of people and events from Baptist history, accompanied by a passage from the Bible for each day of the year. Preface Solomon has well said, ". . . of making many books there is no end. . . ." Surely that statement could be said of Baptist history alone. The subject is so vast and is such a rich field of study that one could easily become enamored with the past and dwell upon it to the exclusion of present day challenges and opportunities. The authors of volume three of This Day in Baptist History are well aware of that danger. It is not our purpose to glory in the past to the exclusion of seeing the vision of the present and/or the future. Our desire has been merely to look into the past, honor those who have gone before us, and gain enthusiasm from their exploits for the challenges of the day in which we live. The Scriptures often call upon God's children not to forget the ancient landmarks. For instance, in Joshua 4:15-22 the Lord instructed the children of Israel to make a memorial that future generations might pause to reflect upon God's faithfulness in His dealing with their forefathers. The Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 78:4-7 that we are to instruct our children as to the past, and they in turn are to instruct their children. The Lord would have us instruct our children as to His blessings historically upon His people, and then He desires that our children should instruct our grandchildren. In other words, from generation to generation we are to rehearse the blessings of God. That is what the authors of volume three have attempted to do. Fearfully, in this "throw away" society, the past is often neglected and totally forgotten. This trend has resulted in present day congregations completely dropping the name "Baptist" from their ministries. We do not believe that Baptist people who are properly aware of the sacrifices made by our forefathers could possibly participate in such a practice. We rejoice in the price that those who have gone before us have paid for our religious freedom. It is the desire of the present authors to reinforce our gratitude for those who have gone before. David L. Cummins Deputation Director, Baptist World Mission

Cover Picture

Cover picture Resurrection Morn by Hong Min Zou is copyrighted by www.HongminZou.com.
On November, 1863, General Lee's Army moved into winter quarters on the south side of the Rapidan River. The Union army moved up to the north side. The pickets on each side of the river were within speaking distance of each other. My command camped on the north side of Clark's Mountain and was composed of the following regiments of infantry: 58th, 42nd, 49th, 32nd and 13th Virginia, General A. P. Hill's old regiment. This was the 4th Virginia Brigade, commanded by General Pegram, who was killed at Hatcher's Run.

"While in camp our chaplain, Reverend Willie Ragland, preached very faithfully the gospel of Christ to our command, the 13th Virginia, that loved and honored him as a servant of God. One of the converts, Goodwin, of Company A, of Orange Courthouse, living in the lower part of the county, wished to be baptized in the Rapidan River; but the enemy was just on the other side, and our officers feared that we might bring on trouble. But finally they gave their consent. We marched very scatteringly, about fifty strong; and the enemy, seeing that we had no arms, did not fire on us, but seemed greatly puzzled and watched us closely. As soon as we reached the water's edge we began to sing that grand old hymn, 'There is a Fountain filled with Blood,' and at once the enemy began to leave their works and hasten to the riverside, and many voices in the Northern army joined in the song. Both armies were at peace as they witnessed the death of the old man into the resurrection of the new man through Jesus Christ our Lord."

© 2006 by David L. Cummins (pending)
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