Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1860-02-08

undsrsieasd being requested by Elder I.sdbottsr,
during his last illness, 70 prepare sketch OF his
life for publication, have used all the means OF
information In their reach, to present correct
outline Of his life. They have awaited themselves
of the writings he left, the minutes OF Assooia-
lions and Conventions. and the recollection OF
his friends,
Nothing 10 stated In this sketch but what 10
believed TO DO correct, and nothing which We did
not think necessary In order TO place tho oharace
ter OF Elder lsdbetter 10 u proper light before
the Baptists and the world,
There are documents, which, could they have
been obtained IN time, would have established
certain dates, about which We are not perfectly
cure /; but having already waited so long we have
concluded TO send such sketch as our presen,
means will enable us to prepare, and request you
to publish it, and the Tennessee Baptist and Dial
las Herald to copy. Respectfully.
Jas. WRoHr, N. ID.
Thomas U. ToLKR.
OBITUARY
The subject Of this sketch, Arthur Ledbettei
was horn June Sd, 1898, In Warren county. Tel
nessee, His father moved from Warren TO Over
ION county in the same State, when no was quite
Young, In this county he was raised, and r.
manned till he moved to Texas. About tho yea
IsoS. he married his first wife, Elizabeth Rob
bins, who died In Dallas county, Texas, soon 81
ter his removal to that place.
We cannot ascertain the exact date OF his bap
tism and ordination, his credentials, as no stated,
becoming 80 much damaged by rain, while emi
eating 10 Texas, AZ to DO defsoed. In letter
however, Written by him In July, 1858, no say
81 have stood connected with the Baptists TO-
nearly 40 wears thirty-seven years OF that tims,
+ have. In nv feeble manner, been trying %
nreaeb the gospel Of our blessed Lord and Savios
Jesus Christ" From this, it seems he was bap,
u.
tired about the year ISIS, and commence
preaching about 1921. During most OF the tima
that he remained in Tennessee ne had' we oeiie,o'
the PASTORAL care Of four churches, and his min''
try. according to tho best information We on
Get. was much blessed. lie removed to Teand
and reached Dallas county in April lS4S. Sooo
after his arrival, he commenced preaching ~
Good Hone, Bethany, and union Hill churches.
In lSI0 he was called to the pastoral care OF
Union Hill church. In 1850 he became mem
Der of this church, having short time before
married Mrs. Elizabeth Pearson, in that neigh
borhood. In the fall OF that year, tne :, ASSOC
ton was held with this church, and Elder Loi-
better was chosen Moderator. lie continued 10
serve in that capacity, till the Association Nc
Waco, in September, 1858, when being in tad
health, he requested the Association to relioya
him. and Elder u. N. Morrill, was chosen his sue
cessor.
lie was appointed to preach the missionary
sermon at the next Association. ltappears IRON
the minutes of the Baptist State Convention Of
1852, that he served as missionary for that body
in 1851, being re-appointed at that session add
in the minutes of the Trinity River Association,
held in September, 1854, it appears that he acted
IA missionary up to that time. The minutes OF
that Association also state that, Elder Ledbettot,
having withdrawn from the Association, the Con-
mittee on Divine Service invited Elder q. ",
Baines to preach the missionary sermon, at 10
o o'clock" This was on the Lords day. Tho
minutes do not state the reason of his withdrs ~
ing, but though nothing was said about IL in tho
Association, it was known that no was led 10
his step by o conversation which he had with
some Of the ministers on Saturday.
Elder Ledbetter has been much censured Tor
preaching the possibilities of apostasy but be.
iieving as he did, from tho many warnings OF
Christ and his apostles that there was danger,
he felt IL his duty faithful minister of Jcs'
Christ, TO warn his brethren and HtiT She'n up I!
watChrulnsss snd prayer. He has been oegsplel
for Joining the Association when his sentiment
did not agree with the articles OF faith OF THAI
BODY We have read these articles and the par
tiouae one referred to jf so woTdod that mar
Of his views might, in our judgement, sIhecribG
to it without censure, when it is known that The
Baptists in the older States had tolerated minis
tiers and members who held the same sentiments.
He has boeu censured for oOnoealng his views
"
is in the recollection Of many, that he preached
the same views from his first settlement in Texas,
and indeed, from the commencement Of his min
istry.
Brother Ledbetter died, after a painful illness,
on Sunday the 9th November, aged 81 years and
s months. lie was conscious of his approaching
end and placing all his trust in Christ, did not
fear to meet his last enemy-death The chief,
and indeed, the only thing that seemed to trouble
him in his last moments, was the position ne &C.
cupied with respect to the Baptist denomination
This pressed with much weight on his mind. he
frequently spoke of it, and probably 1t occupied
his last thoughts on earth.
Brother Ledbetter was q devoted husband, an
afectionate father, good neighbor, kind ana
gentle in his manners, upright in his dealings,
and exemplary in his christian department. We
have known few men 80 devoted to religion; and
those who have enjoyed his society will remem-
Der the ardor and warmth of feeling with which
he engaged in religious conversation, and his Pc
culiar ap tness at throwing light on difficult pas
sages of scripture.
We cannot but regret his separation from the
Baptist connection, and particularly at the time
it occurred. He was, at that time, well oalcula-
ted to do much good, being man of great natu-
raj talents and energy, and, at the same time
deeply imbued with the spirit of christianity.-
But regrets are vain. He is gone, and We be-
lieve we have good grounds to trust, that, having
left his earthly tabernacle, he has entered into
that house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens.
He left wife and several children, married
and single, to mourn his loss. May they profit
by his admonitions, and follow his christian ex-
ample, so that when done with earth, they may
meet again where sorrows and Affections will new
or more annoy.