Buck, Rev. William Calmes, son of Charles Buck and Mary Richardson, was born Aug. 23,1790, in Shenandoah (now Warren) Co., Va.

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  · Daily Baptist Encyclopedia Post by Jim Curran

Buck, Rev. William Calmes, son of Charles Buck and Mary Richardson, was born Aug. 23,1790, in Shenandoah (now Warren) Co., Va. His father was a farmer in good circumstances, and gave him such advantages as were common in those days, which did not satisfy his desires for a thorough education. He told his father that he would re- linquish all claim on his estate if he would send him off to a good school for one year, but his father was not willing to make any distinction as to edu- cation among his children. While a boy he read all the volumes of the ‘ British Encyclopedia,”’ and some of them, more than once, by fire-light, besides such histories and scientific works as he could procure from a public library of which his father was a share-holder. His thirst for knowledge was so great that he continued to improve himself, until in middle age he acquired such an acquaint- ance with the Greek and Hebrew languages as enabled him to read the Scriptures in those lan- guages with pleasure. For some years he was occupied in farming, which he relinquished to give himself entirely to the Christian ministry, and joined the Water Lick Baptist church, Va., in his seventeenth year. Commenced public speaking soon after, but was not ordained till 1812. He then became pastor of the church of which he was a member. Was a lieutenant in the U. 8. army during the war of 1812. Moved to Union Co., Ky., in 1820, where he had the care of several churches, and resided for a short time in Woodford County. During all these years his time was filled with most laborious missionary work. Moved to Louisville in 1836 and assumed the pastorate of the First church; he soon resigned the care of it, and, with a few others, formed the East church, to which he furnished a house and preached until it was able to sustain itself. Was editor of the Baptist Banner and Western Pioneer during most of his residence in Louisville. Was elected secretary of the Bible Board of the Southern Baptist Convention at Nash- ville, Tenn., May, 1851, in which position he con- tinued until called to the pastorate of the Baptist church, Columbus, Miss., March, 1854; continued in this position till May, 1857, when he accepted a callto the Greenborough church, Ala. The next year, 1858, he servec the church at Selma, Ala. In the fali of 1859, having moved to Marion, Ala., he com- menced the publication of The Baptist Correspond- ent, but after two years it was suspended hy the events of the war, and he went to the Confederate army asa missionary, laboring wherever he thought he could be most useful. In 1864 he located at Lauderdale Springs, Miss., as superintendent of the Orphans’ Home, and also had the care of the Sharon church, Noxubee Co., Miss., till he removed to Texas, in 1866. He had not the care of any church in Texas, but continued to labor for the Master by word and pen so long as his health per- mitted. Died at Waco, Texas, May 18, 1872. He was an earnest worker in all enterprises of the denomination. Gifted by nature with a ringing, powerful voice, fluent speech, and a retentive mem- ory, he was unsurpassed as a platform speaker. He was often elected a vice-president of the Southern Baptist Convention. He prepared and published “The Baptist Hymn-Book,” ‘‘ The Philosophy of Religion,” and ‘‘ The Science of Life.”From the Baptist Encyclopedia by William Cathcart