S.H. Hassell On Dr. John M. Watson

Elder Sylvester Hassell (1842-1928)

This great man of God (the ablest minister among them going into the 20th century) endorsed Elder John M. Watson as a "Primitive Baptist" minister and recommended his famous work "The Old Baptist Test" (Title Address of this Blog), and I wish to cite what the learned Hassell said about Watson and then make some comments. (highlighting mine)

Wrote

"Nearly thirty years ago ``the beloved physician,'' Eld. John M. Watson, professor of obstetrics in the medical department of the University of Nashville, Tenn, wrote in the "Old Baptist Test," these wise and warning words:

"We have become too ultra in most things. How great the change! Watchman! what of the night? I hear one respond, All is not well! another, that strange winds of doctrine are blowing; another, that the sickly dews of heresy are falling thickly around us, many are sickly and weak; another, that the sound of another gospel is heard in our midst, whereby many are being bewitched. I hear something of heavenly origin! Listen: "Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.' O, Israel, to you tents! Gird on the sword of the Spirit! put on the whole armor of God! Set up the waymarks and, in holy boldness and meekness, defend them against all heretical defacers! Above all things, avoid those prevailing ultraisms which are now eating on the Old Baptist Church as doth a canker--dividing churches and Associations, and disturbing the order and peace of the Baptists generally. Rebuke the ultraist whenever you meet with him--reclaim or reject him--let him be regarded constantly as the worst enemy of the Baptists of the present day!"

What is a shame is that the learned Hassell, though combating many Hardshell "ultraisms," or going to extremes in doctrine and practice, himself went into an extreme by disagreeing with Watson on the use of means in the new birth! As we have observed in other postings, Sylvester's "anti means" view of the new birth was not only contrary to Watson and the first "Primitives" but to that of his own father (C.B). He rightly observed how the Hardshells retained many elements of "Two Seedism" throughout the nineteenth century and he fought hard against this. However, he retained the Two Seed view of a no means view of the new birth.

Recall that Watson was one of the leaders during the split that formally began in 1832 via the "Black Rock Address." He was in fellowship with their leaders and his view on means was the view that was the accepted view.