A Brief Review of Some of the Causes of the Division over Progressivism
By Elder Robert L. Webb
Elder V. F. Agan of Georgia was a leader of the Progressive Movement in Georgia for many years. He published an autobiography in 1976 and I purchased a copy. It includes his personal antagonism for Elder John R. Daily and others of the old-line brethren. It also includes four articles or documents which give the reasons for the division between the Progressives and Old-Line PB's. I have reviewed these four documents and highlighted the major points of issue. The following eight reasons given by Elder William H. Crouse (who had been on the editorial staff of the Zion's Advocate while Elder John R. Daily was editor, but gradually withdrew from Elder Daily and went with the Progressives), came from an article he wrote in 1921:
1. The Use of Musical Instruments in church service.
2. Fleshly revival meetings.
3. Advocating a salaried ministry.
4. Advocating the receiving of alien baptism.
5. Exhorting alien sinners to gospel obedience.
6. Advocating Sunday Schools as practiced by other denominations.
7. Advocating a Federal Government for our churches.
8. Fellowshipping brethren who were members of secret orders.
In regard to musical instruments, Elder Crouse simply says, "Of this charge, we were guilty. This we have never denied." He then added that the Progressives should "preserve congregational singing, and use only such songs as are in perfect harmony with our gospel." And, "If we will do this I feel sure our conservative "non-progressive" brethren will find no great objection to the use of the organ." (This last statement is NOT true, however).
Elder Crouse denied that the Progressives were guilty of #2, #3, #4, #5, and #7. He again plead "guilty" to #8, but said the old-line brethren were also guilty. The fact that he denied guilt on the other points does not mean that he was correct or truthful, but we will not notice all of these points right now. Each point is subject to interpretation, as to what constitutes going too far, etc. They were "pushing the limit" on all of these points.
Elder Crouse's arguments on #6, Sunday Schools, is worthy of our special close attention: "To this charge we plead, NOT GUILTY. Time and again we have gone on record as opposed to Sunday Schools. We do believe in Bible Study and some of our churches meet in the church and read and study the Bible together, but the overwhelming majority of our people would oppose bitterly any effort to introduce Sunday Schools among us. While I have been a strong advocate of Bible Study in the churches, I stand ready to abandon this when it becomes apparent that it will lead to a Sunday School in any of our churches." He continues, "A few of our brethren have suggested the term Sunday School. I have no authority to speak for them, but I feel sure knowing them as I do, that they do not mean by that expression what the term would imply. I think I know a very few who have been extreme on this point and have allowed their zeal to get the best of their judgment, and they have not manifested as much consideration for our brethren as they should. But I have no fear of our people launching out upon such a system."
Elder Crouse was considered by the old-line brethren as one of the more conservative of the Progressives. However, he was nonetheless identified with them, and a clear line of demarcation of fellowship was drawn against him, and clearly he was willing to fellowship those who use instruments such as organs.
The Primitive Baptist Library of Carthage, Illinois has most of the issues of the Progressive Primitive Baptists' paper, the Banner-Herald (which has a circulation of about 1,400) for the past year 2000-2001. I wish to call attention to some of the items I find in these issues:
February 2000: Scholarship Fund Inc. to help young PB's obtain a college education. Builders Fund, Inc. to help new and struggling churches build or purchase a building. Announcement of the 48th session of the Preacher's Wives Association. Donetsk Ministry Inc. - an account of two seminars held in the Ukraine, by five pastors, four men, and four nurses, partly medical, partly doctrinal, partly working with missionaries of other denominations working in the fifteen churches under "Light of Resurrection." The 1689 Confession, it says, is believed by a majority of the pastors of these churches. The second day lesson revolved around church structure. The third day dealt with sermon preparation. Escatology workshops. Annual Teen Retreats, at Camp Sonlight, Florida. Advertisement for a Summer Youth Activity Director for Ramah Church.
July 2000: An article by "Elder Zack Guess" (whom the heading says is a well respected minister among the Old Line Primitive Baptists), on Preservation and Perseverance. (The truth is that Zack Guess stands justly excluded from an orderly old- line Primitive Baptist Church and is an heretic.) A report on the Foundation for Evangelism and Church Growth Committee Music Worship Training at Camp Hillview. Central States Bible Conference at Vincennes University, Vincennes, Indiana. Report on the 60th Annual PB Foundation - reporting $89,634 in contributions, which funds Bible Study Literature, Loans to Churches for building programs, Evangelistic Support, Publication of Songbooks, and Assistance for Elderly Ministers and Widows, and much more.
September 2000: Golf Tournament to Benefit the Donetsk Ministry in Russia.
November 2000: Advertisement for a Cook Crew for the Music Workshop, a paid position, to be funded either by donations or by fund- raisers for a ladies' circle or men's brotherhood. Elder Keith Smith relinquished his credentials because he became pastor of a church not affiliated with the Primitive Baptists.
January 2001: An article defending the Birdwood College (A Preacher's Seminary)
February 2001: Schedule of Appointments for ministers from Russia in the Donetsk Ministry at churches in Georgia and also in Ohio, Michigan, and Canada (which we presume are not Primitive Baptist churches at all).
May 2001: An article on Women's Role in Worship by Elder Craig Campbell (formerly of Concord PPB Church, Palmyra, Illinois) which says that women are to teach and train other women in the congregation, and are to be involved in the teaching and training of the young people of the church. The church in Illinois where this man was ordained has allowed preachers from the First Baptist Church to preach.
June 2001: A statistical account of the "Full-time," "Part-time," and other kinds of preachers listed in their annual directory, how many churches are without pastors, etc., using this analysis as a basis for saying we need to pray for pastors and renewal.
July 2001: Article by James Boice (a Presbyterian minister) against Children's Sermons, with a note at the end by the Progressive PB Editor, which says, "I realize many use Children's Church. This article was not meant to condemn all such practices, but to help us call attention to our conduct and practices during worship." Worship Schedule for the Southern States Bible Conference, with the "theme" being "The Beatitudes." Subjects of the sermons to be given are listed.
SUBSEQUENT HISTORIES OF THE PROGRESSIVES
We have two books which are histories of the Progressive Primitive Baptists, one was published in 1955, the other in the 1970's. These books give historical information regarding the establishment of Birdwood College, the Bethany Home at Vidalia, the Central States and Southern States Bible Conferences, The Television Program Lighthouse, the Ministers School at Plant City Florida, The School of the Prophets with its Ministers School, the Preachers' Wives Association, The Music Workshop, An Old Baptist Ministry to Haiti, and Youth Camps. These books also show the history of most of their churches, which reveal that almost all of them have Bible Studies each Sunday, and most of them have P. B. Y. F. (Primitive Baptist Youth Fellowship), Wednesday night prayer meetings, etc. We presume they virtually all have an organ or piano, and/or other musical instruments.
Copyright c. 2002. All rights reserved. The Primitive Baptist Library.
