Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Virginia’s Blazing Comet
Thomas E Kresal October 11, 2019
Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Virginia’s Blazing Comet
October 11, 1769 – Samuel Harriss was ordained as an evangelist. His first candidate for baptism after ordination was James Ireland, who had traveled from Shenandoah County, Virginia to the Harriss home.
Ireland was later confined to Culpeper jail for preaching without licensure. Harriss, like many of his contemporaries, began exhorting and preaching immediately after his conversion.
This instant involvement probably came about because he was baptized by Daniel Marshall and joined Dutton Lane’s church. No one could be under the influence of these men and not be ignited with the fire of evangelism.
Semple states, “During the first years of his ministry, he often traveled with Mr. Marshall; and must have caught much of his spirit, for “there is obviously a considerable resemblance in their manner.” For nearly the first seven years, his labors were confined to the adjacent counties of Virginia and N.C. “His manners were of the most winning sort; having a singular talent at touching the feelings. He scarcely ever went into a house without exhorting and praying for those he met there. Upon the invitation of Allen Wyley of Culpeper, VA, Harriss crossed the James River, exhorting and praying at every house he visited until he reached Wyley’s house. After preaching the first day without incident, he was met the next day with sticks, whips, and clubs in the hands of an angry mob. That night he went to Orange County and preached with great effect. He continued there many days with great crowds following wherever he went. On this journey he sowed many good seeds which later brought forth a great harvest.
Thomas E. Kresal from: This Day in Baptist History I: Cummins/Thompson, pp. 421-22.
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