The peculiar Baptist
by Thomas Ray
James Chiles was one of the first Virginia Baptists to suffer persecution for preaching the gospel. Prior to his conversion, he had an unsavory reputation as a man who was both willing and able to settle any dispute with his fists.
That changed sometime prior to 1768 when Samuel Harriss and James Reed began an extensive evangelistic tour south of the James River. The fruit of their labors resulted in a number of conversions. New churches were planted; new laborers were set apart and sent forth to preach the gospel. Among these early converts were Elijah Craig, James Walker, James Chiles, and many others. These young preachers, following in the footsteps of their spiritual fathers, began preaching anywhere and to anyone who would listen. Difficulties could not stop them nor dampen their flaming zeal. They were mocked, threatened, attacked by mobs, physically abused, harassed by sheriffs and courts, and thrown into dungeons. But their efforts were not in vain; these young evangelists were able to spread the gospel in all the lower counties in Virginia.
James Chiles and his preaching companions — John Waller, Lewis Craig, and William Mash (an exhorter) — had the distinction of being the first Baptist preachers to be imprisoned for preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in Virginia. On June 4, 1768, they were seized by the sheriff of Spotsylvania County and were brought before three magistrates. Each was placed under a 1,000-pound bond and ordered to appear at the court at Fredericksburg in two days. At the appointed time each of the men was present. The prosecuting attorney charged them as “disturbers of the peace.” He stated they “cannot meet a man upon the road, but they must ram a text of scripture down his throat.” The court ruled if they would sign an affidavit promising not to preach in Spotsylvania County for one year and a day, they would be set free. They refused, and the sheriff was ordered to place them in jail.
As the four preachers were led to jail, they sang a hymn. They were imprisoned but they could not be silenced. Each day at an appointed time, crowds would gather outside the jail to hear these fearless men of God preach the gospel. It is reported that 11 heads of families and some of their domestics, with many others, professed faith in Christ.
On July 16, 1768, John Blair, Deputy Governor of Virginia, sent a letter to the court requesting the court set the Baptist preachers free. Three days later, after 43 days of imprisonment, the men were freed.
Each of the men continued and even expanded his respective ministries. James Chiles had a reputation as a powerful preacher who specialized in speaking to the heart. But, he had some peculiar beliefs: he strongly believed in visions and dreams and claimed God revealed matters to him. In spite of these imperfections, his success as a preacher was great. He was the first to preach the gospel in Albemarle County. His preaching led to several revivals and the establishment of Baptist churches. The renowned Samuel Harriss had great confidence in Chiles and his ability to touch a sinner’s heart. He and Chiles traveled extensively throughout Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina preaching, baptizing, and establishing new churches.
Eventually Chiles would move to South Carolina where he established a large church. He never abandoned his belief in visions and dreams. As his health began to fail, he went to the house of a neighbor woman and told her his God said that he must die there that day.
She said, “I hope not, Mr. Chiles.”
“Yes,” said he, “my God says so: but, however, I will return awhile, and consult my God again!”
He retired for the consultation, and on his return said, “Yes, madam, my God says I must die today.”
The woman again expressed doubts. She said, “You look too well, Mr. Chiles, to die so soon.”
He said, “I will try my God once more.”
After retiring for some time in prayer, he came back and said, “It is fixed; the decree is irrevocable; today I must die in your house.”
Having so said, he stretched himself upon the bed, and yielded up the ghost. James Chiles is a reminder that God has all kinds of children, and it is He who chooses His servants.