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Life and Travels of William Conrad
Preface
The reader will doubtless see in reading the first page of the short history or biography of Elder William Conrad, written by his own hand, that his aim was at the outset of same to give only a sketch of his birth and land of his nativity and a few things about God's dealings with him and Elizabeth Conrad, his companion and wife of his youth, both in the Lord's kind providence over them in a gracious point of view, as well as of God's kind providence over them, by which he blessed them with the good things of earth. But, as he finished that one point or subject, another subject presented itself; and so, one after another came upon his mind, and so he penned in a dense manner his exercise of mind, his call to the work of the ministry (if called at all), as told in his own words, his ordination, his call to preach to the four churches for whom he labored so long and at his own charges.
Hence, it occurred to his mind that in writing out his own history it seemed to him meet to give a short history of these four churches, as he felt thus connected with them; and in so doing, give as nearly the time of the organization of the Church of Christ Old Baptists at Forklick, Grant Co., Ky.; the Church of Christ Particular Baptists at Williamstown, Grant Co., Ky.; the Church of Christ Old Baptists at Raysfork, Scott Co., Ky.; the Church of Christ Predestinarian Baptists at Twincreek, Harrison Co., Ky.
He was also led to give an account of the Church at Williamstown, in which his membership remains to the present; he being one of the seven members organized in 1826, which church joined Licking Association of Particular Baptists at her session at East Hickman Church in 1827. And, as one occurrence after another, which had long before taken place came up in his mind during a long and busy life, he felt his connection with the same as an observer of many things, both of the Order of the Church of Christ in its many mansions or branches in our father's house. And also of the Order and organization of Baptist Associations in their present form, and set up without any authority, as found in the, word of God for such meetings or their rules, etc.
Hence, before he could close up for the time being, the pages numbered: 422; all of which he cheerfully commits to the disposal of him that dwelt in the bush, Deut., 33rd Chapter, 16th verse; whose good will he seeks and for which he prays.
And while the reader may be looking over these pages, and the sentiments therein set forth, may conclude these are hard sayings. "Who can hear them?"
The writer feels ready to assure them that his first and last object was and is the declarative glory of God, and the well-being of his beloved Zion. And, as far as he himself is apprised that the doctrine contained in this preface, as well as in the following pages, are in accordance with the word of God, except the nineteenth and part of twentieth page in this book, beginning at page 331, which contains a copy of Elder Thos. P. Dudley's circular on the Origin, Nature, and Effects of the Christian Warfare, of which he has already written on last part of page 422.
And, while the writer has aimed at good things, the Christian reader, and others not claiming to be disciples may pause and ask if these things are so. The writer says: "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them;" Isa., 8th Chapter, 20th verse.
While the writer is quite ready to acknowledge his proneness to err, and of course if it is found that the sentiments in the following pages is not in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, then it follows there is no light in him so far as any or all the doctrine or sentiments therein fail to be supported by the word of God.
Hence, should the matter contained in the following pages but lead the reader to a more thorough reading and search of the Scriptures, in that case one great object of the writer is gained. And such close and prayerful reading of God's blessed word arise in the hearts of the dear children and readers of this little work, which, under the blessing of a Covenant God will soon come into the hands of them who see and feel how great and how sad the decline, as well as the mournful condition of our beloved Zion, whose ways do mourn, while scarce here and there a traveler is seen coming up thereon.
WM CONRAD.
Near Williamstown, Grant Co. Ky.,
October 23, 1875.
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