"At one time," he says, "preaching being over, and concluding with prayer, I heard a rustling noise in the woods, and before I opened my eyes to see what it was, I was seized by the collar by two men while standing on the table. Stepping down and beholding a number of others walking up, it produced a momentary confusion in me. The magistrates instantaneously demanded of me what I was doing there with such a conventicle of people. I replied, that I was preaching the gospel of Christ to them; they asked, who gave me authority so to do. I answered, He that was the author of the gospel had a right to send forth whom He had qualified to dispense it. They retorted upon me with abusive epithets, and then inquired if I had any authority from man to preach. I produced my credentials, but these would avail nothing, not being sanctioned and commissioned by the bishop. They told me that I must give security not to teach, preach, or exhort, for twelve months and a day, or go to jail. I chose the latter alternative." [State of Virginia in the late 1770s]
Jeremiah Bell Jeter
Early Baptist Pastor and Writer
Virginia Baptist Ministers, Third Series
By George Braxton Taylor
J. B. Jeter, D.D.
By Ben M. Bogard, 1900
Baptist Biographies
Baptist History Homepage
