Baptist History, Heritage & Distinctives – Shubal Stearns – The Appalachian Elisha – PART FOUR

April 18, 2020

Baptist History, Heritage & Distinctives – Shubal Stearns – The Appalachian Elisha – PART FOUR

Shubal Stearns had no formal degree, but had a brilliant mind and was greatly gifted in organizational skills. He was highly intelligent and a planner, planter, and tireless worker. After yielding to his heavenly vision, (see Acts 26:19) he prepared his work and made it fit for the field (see Proverbs 24:27). He envisioned a work force to quickly plant a large number of churches. There can be no doubt God had revealed to him a great plan for the work that needed to be done. In the history of God’s believing people, God always laid the need of the hour at the feet of those who were willing. He then enabled them to meet the need. Would to God, He would raise up the willing to meet the desperate needs of our present dreadful hour! Of Shubal Stearns, Isaac Backus wrote, “his soul was red with the zeal to carry light into these dark parts.”

The most noteworthy gift in the life of Shubal Stearns was his voice. Described by several eyewitnesses to his ministry as “enchantment,” Shubal used his voice to bring men to an earnest examination of themselves before God.

Indeed, the preachers who surrendered to the call of God under the ministry of Shubal Stearns, took on similar characteristics. Semple again, describing the Separate Baptists:

“But the manner of preaching was, if possible, much more novel than their doctrines. The Separates in New England had acquired a very warm and pathetic address, accompanied by strong gestures and a singular tone of voice. Being often deeply affected themselves while preaching, correspondent affections were left by their pious hearers, which were frequently expressed by tears, trembling, shouts and acclamations.”

The scene described above is nothing less than the roots of the OLD TIME RELIGION, so identified with Bible believing Baptists. The description we have of Stearns’ voice and preaching habits bring to mind the admonitions of Ezekiel to “strike the thigh,” and “stamp the foot” and “lift up your voice like a trumpet.” George Whitefield no doubt influenced his pathos, and his earnestness and fearlessness were telltale evidence of Whitefield’s influence. If George Whitefield was the American Elijah then Shubal Stearns was his Appalachian Elisha, following in his footsteps, wearing his mantle and affecting the lives of thousands. We believe that about Stearns and more, for he could also be rightly called “the Apostle Paul of the Backcountry.”

Thomas E. Kresal from “America in Crimson Red” by James R. Beller, Pg. 147-148

NOTE from Tom: The “eye of Shubal” is a stained glass window is in the foyer of the Southern Baptist church on the grounds of Sandy Creek. The inscription reads “In Memoriam of Elder Shubal Stearns 1755-1771”