| Author | Message | ||
     dethomas |
I attended during this period and was wondering if anyone that visits this website did? | ||
| Anonymous |
I was there a few times in the 1990s. Carson Cowan frequented this convention as did Harry Brownlee, Archie Holcomb, and others. I remember the sulphur well. Jerome updated the grounds in the 1980s. The Higdon family owned the grounds before the 1960s. (grandparents of the couple who owns the Salvisa KY grounds). | ||
| Anonymous |
The First Church in Hopkins County, Kentucky - 1914 GOSPEL COMES TO THE HIGDON, HAWKINS & RAINWATER FAMILIES "O God of Bethel, by whose hand Thy people still are fed; Who through this weary pilgrimage Hast all our fathers led. Our vows, our prayers we now present Before Thy throne of grace; God of our fathers, be the God Of their succeeding race." This record is not to be considered church history, but it is written solely for the interest and benefit of those succeeding generations of our parents, grandparents, etc. who are recorded in this account. For most of us, who have been brought up under the influence of truth and godliness, it is a privilege we value, and for those who had the privilege of learning later, they have a special testimony: "Once I was blind, but now I see". We are all very thankful to have been brought in and made one in Christ. In December of 1912, Tom Noble (Ireland) and Willie Webb (England), after an unsuccessful mission in Madisonville, started west out of Madisonville walking the railroad tracks towards Manitou and Nebo. (Willie, later, in giving his testimony told how homesick discouraged he was as he walked along that railroad, and his inclinations were to turn around and walk the other way for, he said, every tie he stepped on took him one step further from England and home.) They continued walking and left the railroad track in Manitou to inquire about the availability of a building for meetings. They were given the use of the Union Church building, as it was the custom then for any preacher to use the building to have meetings. They announced their meetings and, as was common practice then, the whole community attended the meetings at the beginning and seemed to enjoy them. Some invited Tom and Willie into their homes. John and Nora Higdon lived about one mile out of Manitou but did not hear of the meetings at the beginning, but many were discussing the meetings and one day, when John was in Manitou, his father who was a devout General Baptist, told John about the preachers who had come from far countries, an old Irishman (33) and a young Englishman (24) and asked him to attend the meetings. John's father said the community did not know what they were, but they surely could preach the Bible. Before the workers came to the community, John and Nora were reading their Bibles and were puzzled about why there were so many different denominations and different doctrinal points that the different denominations believed, and John had been praying that God would show him, in a vision or in some way, what was right so he could be sure. He had joined the General Baptist church at Concord, and Nora belonged to the Missionary Baptist church at Pleasant Grove, but neither of them were satisfied with their church. The Missionary Baptists where she belonged, believed in Eternal Security (once saved, always saved), but the General Baptists did not believe that. This caused a confusion in their lives for they believed the husband and wife should believe alike and go to the same church. So, in time, Nora left her church and joined his, and both were given responsibilities in the church. The first night the Higdons attended the meetings, they asked the workers to go home with them if they didn't mind walking a mile. When they turned into the walk to go into the house, John heard Willie say to Tom, "Home again", and John turned that remark over in his mind. What did he mean “home again,” for this is my home? The next morning John took his Bible into the room where the workers were and began asking questions, and Willie especially seemed to enjoy preaching to him most of the day. Tom warned Willie to be careful about what he said to John, for he might turn out to be an enemy, but Willie said, “But he wants to know". The meetings continued and, as usual after awhile some began to turn away and began talking against them, and some who were so eager at first turned away and said, “These men should be run out of town", but John and Nora kept attending and continued to have the workers in their home, and John kept them busy with questions from the Bible, but Nora, at this point, was not so interested, feeling she was already doing the best she could. At the same time or at a subsequent time, Tom and Willie had another mission close by at a grade school .called Possum College. Also attending the meetings at Manitou and Possum College were Mr. Charlie and Elsie Rainwater, who lived in the Possum College community. Charlie and Elsie also took a lively interest in the meetings and had the workers in their home. Both the Higdons and Rainwaters kept coming regularly, even as the crowd began to dwindle, as the religious people began to get the message that these preachers do not believe in their religion. As Christmas time, 1912, drew near, Tom and Willie had to close their mission, for they were scheduled to be in special meetings in another area during the holidays. In early 1913, they returned to the Manitou - Nebo - Possum College area. It is not clear now just which exact community they were in after their return, when they began meetings again. Again, the Rainwaters and Higdons began attending regularly, and when their opportunity came both Charlie and Elsie Rainwater and John Higdon professed. Some time later as Nora watched John's life and the changes that were evident, and also as she had more visits in the home with Tom and Willie, she expressed her desire to become one with them. Both the Rainwaters and Higdons experienced much opposition from relatives and religious people in the area. After closing these missions, Tom and Willie began searching for a place for another mission. Tom borrowed the Higdon's horse and buggy and went as far as Dixon, KY looking for an opening, but failed to find a suitable place. On the same day, Willie started out walking through the country towards the Richland community. It was now early spring and spring rains had creeks overflowing. As Willie walked, he came to Greasy Creek, where the road was under water. He pulled off his shoes and sox, rolled up his pant legs and waded the cold water, then after crossing, he put his sox and shoes back on, rolled his trouser legs down and proceeded towards Richland, cold and wet. Arriving there, he inquired about a school building and was directed to a Mr. Grandy Ray, who was trustee of the local school. Mr. Ray turned out to be a friendly and agreeable fellow and :invited Willie into his home to warm himself before his open fire and also gave Willie permission to use the one room elementary school building. Willie then returned to the Higdon home, having to wade the creek on his way back. Shortly after that, Tom and Willie borrowed Mr. Higdon's team and wagon to take their things to the Richland area. In early spring in 1913, they began a mission in the Richland school, and again they had a large turnout from the community. Most at first were supportive and seemed to be glad for the opportunity to hear the Word preached but, as before, they began to turn away as they realized that they were not preaching denominationalism, and particularly the Baptist doctrine that most of them believed. Among those attending the meetings was Fount Hawkins. His wife, Dixie had at this time taken on the duty of sitting up with a sick neighbor woman every evening, which was customary then. As the meetings continued, some began to be enlightened to the truth, and each night when Fount would come home he would tell Dixie what he had heard and expressed his belief in what they were teaching. It wasn't long until the neighbor lady died, and Dixie was free to go with Fount to the meetings. Both Fount and Dixie were devout Missionary Baptists, and he was quite active in the church, being superintendent of the Sunday school. Dixie's grandfather was the former pastor of the church, but was now old, and they had a new pastor who at first also came to the meetings and took notes, and some accused him of preaching on Sunday what he had heard in the meetings during the week. When the Mission came to a close and the meeting was tested, here were several who stood to their feet. Among the number was Fount and Dixie Hawkins. Tom and Willie felt that some who stood to their feet were not clear on the truth and remained in the community for some time. Time proved their lack of understanding and most did not continue. A few continued for awhile, but in the end, it was Fount and Dixie Hawkins who continued for the remainder of their lives. Sometime in the summer of 1913, Tom and Willie made arrangements for a baptism in Richland. All those who had professed in that and Manitou missions took the step in baptism, except Dixie. She was now encountering a good deal of opposition from her family, who felt she should remain with them in the Baptist faith. Dixie was baptised in 1914 along with others who had professed in Annie Groves and Katie Armstrong's meetings in another part of the county. Among those who were baptised with Dixie was Sarah Groves from Ireland. Sarah had come to this area and was working in Madisonville and had attended her sister Annie's meetings and professed. In 1914, Tom and Willie made arrangements for Sunday morning meetings in the home of Charlie and Elsie Rainwater who then lived in the Possum College community. This was a very small area between Manitou and Richland, but much nearer Manitou. So the six new converts, Charlie and Elsie Rainwater, John and Nora Higdon and Fount and Dixie Hawkins began meeting together and this was the beginning of the first church in Hopkins County. Sometime later about 1916 or 1917, Charlie and Elsie moved to a home on what was later called Rainwater Lane, which was only one quarter mile from the Higdon home, and at that time the Sunday meeting was put in the home of John and Nora Higdon, where it remained until 1965. In 1914, Annie Groves and Kate Armstrong came and began meetings in the western part of Hopkins County near Beulah, where Lee and Lillian Franklin professed. The exact locations of their meeting is not known now, but it seems Annie returned to this area for a few years after 1914, with other companions and different ones of the Hicks and Franklin families professed. A short time later in that or another mission, Mrs. Fannie Hicks and her daughter Mattie Franklin professed. Soon others were added as Annie and companions continued. Jack Hicks, husband of Fannie, professed, along with their son Willie. Some time during the meetings, Mr. and Mrs. Elgie Harris and Mrs. Bernice Howton professed. A church was established first in the home of Jack and Fannie Hicks at Stoney Point, where it remained a few years. Mattie Franklin professed at the same time as her mother, but her husband Dee, who was twin brother to Lee Franklin, did not make his start in truth for a few years. Dee evidently was seriously considering truth, as one day when he was returning home with his son Owen and daughter Vable in his wagon, he suddenly took his pipe out of his mouth and threw it away. The two children were anxious to get home and tell their mother the news. Soon after that Dee also took his stand for truth. Jack and Fannie Hicks were older people when they professed and lived about five years after professing. The Sunday meeting was then put in the home of Dee and Mattie Franklin. Mr. and Mrs. Elgie Harris soon moved to Colorado and did not return. First Sunday meeting was placed in the home of Lee and Lillian Franklin in Beulah, where some from the Higdon church also met. The regular Sunday church remained in the home of Dee and Mattie Franklin for many years, first in the area of Silent Run, then later in the Dalton area, next west of Nebo, and finally in Madisonville. Lee and Lillian Franklin also moved to Colorado and did not return. What was referred to as the Franklin church in western Hopkins Co. and the Higdon church near Madisonville continued until 1988, when they were combined. Throughout the years the Wed. night Bible study was in different homes, but for many years from the 1920s to the 1940s, it was in the home of Mrs. Ida Bobbitt on East Broadway St. in Madisonville. After Mrs. Bobbitt's death in 1945, the Bible study was moved to the home of John and Nora Higdon. During the 1920 decade, others were added to the churches. In 1920, Rod and Mollie Bowles professed and were added to the Higdon church. Also in the 1920s, a Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Bale and the above mentioned Mrs. Bobbitt professed in the Madisonville area. To the Franklin church was added Goldie Hicks (Stevens), daughter of Jack and Fannie Hicks, and Owen and Vable Franklin and later Owen's wife, Gladys. At some point Mrs. Betty Haskins and Mr. Charlie Long professed. In later years, Mrs. Harriet Hudson (Aunt Sis), sister of Nora Higdon, professed through Isabel Norris and companion in McLean Co. and attended the Higdon church when she could. In 1951 Willie Webb, who was without a companion at the time, began a series of gospel meetings in John and Nora Higdon's home. There were some who had indicated they were interested in hearing. Attending those meetings from the beginning were Noble Rainwater, Billy and Doris Rainwater and Kathryn and Douglas Hawkins. The meetings continued nightly, except Saturday, until November 1, when Charles Thain joined Willie, and on November 2nd the meeting was tested, and all five of those attending stood to their feet. Two years later in the 1953 convention at Madisonville, Grover Rainwater, Tommy Bowles and Lucille Rainwater Wilson professed, and one month later Tommy Bowles' wife, Mildred, professed at the convention at Paris, Tennessee. As years passed children and grandchildren of those professing grew up, and some made their start in truth and were added to the local churches. Ruth Higdon Wood professed at Shoals, Ind. convention in 1939 and Lillian Higdon McMaine professed at the Madisonville convention in 1939. Some moved to different parts and established useful homes in other areas; and one, Sarah Higdon, has been in the work since 1939. In 1965 Mr. Higdon went to live with his daughters, Ruth Wood in Winterville, Ga. and Lillian McMaine, Paris, Ky. By this time, Mrs. Higdon had gone to her reward in 1964. It was at that time in November, 1965, Douglas and Kathryn Hawkins moved to the Higdon farm, where meetings have continued to the present time. A convention was started on the farm in 1923 and continues there. Just as this account began with a plea from our Hymn No. 12 first two verses, it seems fitting to end it with a further plea from the last two verses, and verse three has been well expressed by the lives and struggles of those who lived and died in truth. Please respect the desire of the writer that this record not be widely copied and distributed for improper handling of such records can be damaging. "O spread Thy covering wings around, Till all our wand'rings cease; And at our Father's loved abode, Our souls arrive in peace. Such blessings from Thy gracious hand, Our humble prayers implore; And Thou shalt be our chosen God, and portion evermore. " This Account was written in 1989 by Douglas Hawkins NOTES: Jack & Fannie Hicks were Goldie’s parents Mattie Franklin was Goldie’s sister Owen & Vable Franklin are Goldie’s nephew and niece | ||
| Anonymous |
I wonder if this convention will be in operation much longer. Owners are in their 80s. Most friends who attend this convention attend several others. Not that far from Shoals, Salvisa, Brownstown IL, and Paris TN. Most professing people in Western KY are either kin to a Mathis, Rainwater, Bowles, Miller or Wilkerson. Wendell Morriss has an open home in Daviess County. | ||
| Anonymous |
Both Tom Noble and Willie Webb must have loved Kentucky because after a stint in other areas, both men finished up their lives in KY. I think Tom died in Louisville and Willie died in Lexington. | ||
| Anonymous |
I have heard that Tom N. could be a cranky guy! If he didn't like you, he didn't hide it. I think he died in the early 1970s. | ||
| 03 list |
Madisonville KY Sept 5-8 2003 Thursday 10:00 am Brian Getz, Geri Weiner, Ian Simpson 2:30 pm George Peterson, Alice Christopher, Ben McMaine 7:00 pm John Culver, Bertha Magsam, Joel Crawford Friday 10:00 am Ray Hoffman, Esther Penny, Ruth Eoff 2:30 pm William Bryant, Ruth Hobbs, Diane Topinka 7:00 pm Brian Getz, John Elrod Saturday 10:00 am George Peterson, Helen Montgomery, Brad Bloemker 2:30 pm John Culver, Evelyn Kuck, John Mulford 7:00 pm Glenn Gasser, Doris Bloemker, Justin Arbogust Sunday 10:00 am William Bryant, Esther Penny, Mary Fields 2:00 pm Ray Hoffman, Greg Harger ---------- 2003 speaking list for the Madisonville convention @ Doug and Catherines. | ||
| Anonymous (157.89.46.110) |
Didn't Doug Hawkins pass away recently? Owner of the Newry PA convention grounds has passed away. |
