Elder James Osbourne on Means

James Osbourn was one of the first leaders in the anti mission movement and had much to do with the separation of the Hardshells from the main body of Baptists. He lived in Baltimore, Maryland, and was a member of the Baltimore Association of Baptists. He was friends with the first leaders in the Hardshell movement, with men such as Gilbert Beebe, Samuel Trott, Ambrose Booten, Joshua Lawrence, John M. Watson, etc.

According to a present day "Primitive Baptist" web page, edited by Elder David Montgomery, "Elder Osbourn was a staunch defender of the old paths. In the 1832 split with the Missionaries, he was instrumental in keeping many faithful to the truth. His opposition to the new and unscriptural ideas being promoted, earned him the ire of the new schoolers. However, we Primitives owe him a debt of gratitude."

Another PB elder said this about Osbourn:

"In my library I have four books written by James Osbourn. James Osbourn was born in England in 1780, sat under the ministry of the celebrated William Huntington, and converted under the ministry of John Harm. Later, Osbourn moved to America and was blessed to preach extensively and to write several books. Historian Sylvster Hassell said of him that he "was an Englishman, who traveled and preached much , and wrote many religious books." He was a part of the presbytery that ordained Sylveter Hassell's father, C. B. Hassell. Osbourn's autobiography is "The Lawful Captive Delivered.""

See here

Not all PB's seem to think so highly of Elder Osbourn, however, nor recognize the leading role he had in the creation of their sect. I have a book published by the "Primitive Baptists" called "Biographical History of Primitive or Old School Baptist Ministers" and I find Elder Osbourn omitted.

First, a little biographical information about Elder James Osbourn (sometimes spelled Osbourne). From his personal letters we learn that he was the youngest of fourteen children, and that he did not learn to read or write till he was in his twenties.

See here

We find Elder Osbourn mentioned in Hassell's history as a frequent visitor to the Kehukee Association in the early days of the anti mission movement. Hassell wrote this interesting tidbit about Elder Osbourn.

"The Association realizing the need of a Hymn Book suitable to the of thc churches, recommended Elder Osbourn, of Baltimore (who in the habit of having works issued from the press), to prepare a suitable book, to the best of his ability, for the use of the churches and on his own responsibility; to which he (being present) gave his consent."

(Minutes for the Kehukee Association, 1843, as given in History of the Church of God: Chapter XXIII, Written by Sylvester Hassell)

Hassell also said of Osbourn:

Sylvester Hassell said, in chapter nineteen of his "History of the Church of God," that "Elder James Osbourn was an Englishman, who traveled and preached much, and wrote many religious books."

See here

Elder Sheets, who wrote against the claims of the Hardshells, being a participant in the early debates with the PBs, wrote this about Elder Osbourn:

See here

"In 1832, Elder James Osborne, of Baltimore, was present. Through his influence a large majority of this Association declared non-fellowship with all the benevolent societies of the day, and have since assumed the name of "The Old School" or "Primitive Baptists." It is, however, a misnomer, for they were formerly the "Primitive Baptists," but by changing their position, and instead of remaining Missionary Baptists as they previously had been, they became the New Baptists."

"The Baltimore Baptist Association, so famous for its antimissionary character since 1836, was, previous to that date, a missionary Association."

"Elder James Osborne, who afterward became a disturber of the churches and a leader in the anti-mission ranks, was present and "cordially received" Brother Rice, and was afterward appointed a Home Missionary!"

"This result was secured, it is said, through the influence of a few men. The spirit of opposition was never spontaneous; it was wrought up by a few shrewd leaders. Elders James Osbourn of the Baltimore Association and John Stadler of the Country Line and Joshua Lawrence in the East, contributed more to the result in North Carolina than any dozen others. And it is quite likely true that Elder Osbourn's influence carried Stadler and Lawrence."

"Again we quote from the Biblical Recorder—an editorial— November, 1871: "The Rev. James Osbourn began to preach in the South and to feed the fires of covetousness by declaiming against 'money hunters.' He denounced all publications except his own, and all collections except for himself, and obtained subscriptions for his books before they were written. Elder Joshua Lawrence and many others were led astray."

Here is what Elder Osbourn wrote about the purpose of the gospel (emphasis mine SG).

"But if so be that the specific object which the Deity had in-view, and designed to accomplish by means of, or in a way compatible with the gospel which he ordained and promulgated, was the eternal salvation of the bride, the Lamb's wife, Rev. 21; 9; we then of course may safely conclude, that that specific object must and will be accomplished, just in that way and manner as infinite wisdom may have dictated. And lo, this is what we do believe and rejoice in; and in the gospel we also believe, every necessary arrangement and provision is made and permanently settled for the effecting the salvation of that church which was the object of God's everlasting love and delight, and which he gave to his Son before time began.

That God ordained the GOSPEL, and promulgated the same, with a settled purpose to save sinners thereby; and hence in this his gospel he says, "I will give them an heart to know me, that 1 am the Lord; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God : for they shall return unto me with,their whole heart." And again says the Lord, 'Zaccheus make haste and come down, for to day I must abide at thy house.' And again it is said, 'As many as were ordained to eternal life believed.' And we are told that the Lord works in men to will and to do of his own good pleasure; and that Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost; Jer. 24, 7; Luke, 19, 5; Acts, 11, 48; Phil. 2, 13; Luke 19, 10. (14, 15)." (pg. 14)

See here

Will today's "Primitives" accept Osbourn? Why have they not preserved his books?