Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Dutton Lane Part TWO

Thomas E Kresal

Visual Storyteller · 2 hrs

October 29, 2019

Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Dutton Lane Part TWO

Sometime after his birth, his father moved the family to Virginia near the North Carolina border. The Lanes were unlikely prospects for the Baptists. Richard Lane, Dutton’s father, was a devoted Anglican and an ardent enemy of the Baptists.

Tidence Lane, Dutton’s older brother, was the first Lane to embrace Baptist beliefs and was instrumental in his broth­er’s conversion. Tidence had married and moved into North Carolina where he heard of the renowned Shubal Stearns, and out of curiosity went to hear him preach. This encounter resuled in Tidence’s conversion and baptism, and like Andrew of the New Testament, he went and told his brother what great things God had done for him. Dutton, moved by his brother’s testimony, was converted and baptized by Shubal Stearns.

Impressed that it was his duty to preach the gospel, Dutton Lane began to proclaim the glo­ries of God’s redeeming love. A revival ensued, and several of Dutton’s friends and neighbors were converted. On one occa­sion, Shubal Stearns’ co-laborer, Daniel Marshall, baptized 42 of Dutton Lane’s converts.

In 1760, Marshall officially organized the Dan River Church with Dutton Lane as their pastor. Although lacking a formal education, he possessed a vigorous constitution, a powerful voice, and a heart on fire with the love of Jesus. The church flourished and within time expanded to include five branches with five assistant pastors.

Thomas E. Kresal from: Baptist Bible Tribune September 24, 2010 by Thomas Ray.

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