ELDER THOMAS
HILL JR.
Thomas Hill, Jr., was born in East Tennessee, September
12m 1797. While in infancy his parents removed to Kentucky--purchasing a
farm in Pulaski County---where he resided until nineteen years of age,
assisting his father, when old enough to do so, in cultivating the
farm.
In 1816, accompanied by his
father and some others, he came to Indiana on an exploring trip, going as
far north as the Muscatatack, near where are located Sullivan's Mills. Here
they erected a "camp," and the
following day killed a large bear in the immediate vicinity. They remained
until all had selected lands---Sullivan, Meek, and others, on the
Muscatatack; and the two Hills on Coffee Creek. Returning to Kentucky, the
subject of this sketch was married the following winter, and in March, 1817,
came to his land in Indiana.
In May, 1822, Coffee Creek
Church was constituted, and the same day Thomas Hill, Jr., offered himself
to the church; was baptized by his father the day following, and retained
membership in the same body through life. In 1823 he was licensed, and in
August, 1825, was ordained and "set apart to the responsible work of the
gospel ministry;" and from that time forward made the "ministry of the word"
the main business of life.
At that early day anti-mission
sentiments had become quite prevalent; but from the first Elder Hill had
warmly espoused the cause of Missions and was the first missionary in this
part of the State, accepting an appointment from the Am. Bap. Home Mission
Society as early as 1826 or '27, continuing several years, and traveling on
horseback through most of the countries of Southern Indiana, at a time when
such traveling meant something. It was through his influence, probably, more
than that of any other, that the missionary spirit ultimately prevailed
throughout this section; and he lived to see every church in Coffee Creek
Association, as well as others where he had labored, not only adopt
missionary principles, but contribute to their support.
In the early days of the Ind.
Baptist Gen. Association, he accepted an appointment as missionary under
that body, and was afterwards appointed general agent for the State. At the
close of 1838, Elder Thomas Hill, Sr., resigned the pastoral care of Coffee
Creek Church, and the same day a call was extended to Elder Thomas Hill,
Jr., to fill the vacancy, which he accepted, resigning his position as State
agent. His pastoral relations continued at his home church nearly thirty
years; and he also, at various times, labored with nearly every church in
the Association, as well as many in Madison, Sand Creek and Brownstown
Associations, and some across the river in Kentucky, in all of which God
abundantly blessed his labors to the conversion of souls. In addition to
pastoral duties, he had much arduous labor to perform. He was Moderator of
Coffee Creek Associations; to attend at ordinations, at church
constitutions, at protracted meetings, and at conventions of the various
societies of the denomination; his time being thus fully occupied throughout
a long and eventful life.
In 1865 his companion was
called away. This sad bereavement and the infirmities of age induced him to
resign regular pastoral work, yet he continued to preach and labor in the
cause of Christ until stricken with the disease that terminated his mortal
life. His first sermon was delivered at Coffee Creek Church in the
commencement of 1823, and his last, or last but one, at the same place in
November, 1875, making nearly fifty-three consecutive years that he had
labored in the same community, always drawing a large congregation of
attentive and interested listeners. He closed his earthly career and passed
to rest the 27th day of March, 1876, in the seventy-ninth year of his
age.
Thus was lost to the community
the presence of a remarkable man, but his influence still lives. As a
citizen and neighbor his character was irreproachable; as a Christian, his
daily walk and undoubted piety were recognized by all. Large, dignified and
nobel in appearance; with a good command of language and an impressive
manner in presenting truth; being an easy, fluent speaker, and a splendid
singer, he was classed as the most popular orator of his day in this
vicinity. Never putting himself forward, but ever shunning notoriety, he was
nevertheless forced to the front, and regarded as one of the leading spirits
of the age.
Elder Hill was a man of
peace--never "threw clubs," never sought controversy; but when thrust upon
him, no man could more ably defend the principles, or more clearly and
concisely and forcefully present the distinctive tenets of the denomination.
His was the happy "gift" to say just enough to clearly elucidate the
position taken, and to leave unsaid everything that would tend to divert the
mind from that position.
He was sound on all Baptist
doctrines, and when deemed advisable to present them, used language that
could not be misunderstood; yet the kind Christian spirit manifested, and
the pure, gentlemanly deportment maintained, disarmed undue criticism, and
these discourses were kindly received by the numerous members of other
denominations who listened to them.
I will close by giving the
testimony of an aged pedobaptist (Thomas Rowland)--a man of piety and
intelligence, who, from youth to old age, was a worthy member, and for many
years a leader in the M.E. Church. This brother once said to the writer: "I
have been intimately acquainted with Brother Hill for more than forty years,
and can truly say I never heard him make a remark, in the pulpit or out of
it, that I could wish he had not said."
RETURN TO
BOOK