He refused to compromise the truth
by Thomas Ray
William Vaughn was one of Kentucky’s most esteemed and influential pioneer Baptist ministers. He was born into a pious Welsh Baptist family February 22, 1785, in Westmorland County, PA. When he was three years old, his father moved the family to Kentucky, which was still a wilderness. Opportunities on the frontier were limited; William was unable to attend school until he was eight. It is estimated the total time he spent in a classroom was about 12 months. But during those few months, he learned to read and developed an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
However, his choice of reading material would prove extremely harmful. One of the books he read was Tom Paine’s Age of Reason. Unfortunately, after reading Paine’s book, William announced he was a Deist and joined an infidel club. This decision seriously affected his lifestyle. He stopped attending religious meetings, his language became vile, and he became a regular patron of the local tavern. But the illness and death of an infidel friend would have a major impact upon his future. This experience made him realize he was not prepared to die. He determined he was going to become a Christian.
He began to diligently study his Bible and to faithfully attend church services. He eventually realized that God’s salvation was freely given through the blood of Christ. He related his conversion experience and was baptized into the Friendship Baptist Church. Believing God had called him to the ministry, he attempted to preach, and though his initial efforts ended in disaster, he persevered.
He purchased an English dictionary and devoured its contents. He would eventually master New Testament Greek, and he read every theological book he could find. This man whose early attempts to preach were complete failures would eventually be considered Kentucky’s greatest preacher.
William Vaughn’s labors were primarily confined to rural and village churches, and each of his churches experienced numerical growth and theological stability. In 1827 he moved to Ohio, but within a year he was back in Kentucky. Upon his return he found the teachings of Alexander Campbell had infiltrated the Baptist churches with devastating results.
Alexander Campbell had initially been considered a Baptist. Baptized by Mathlas Luse, a Baptist pastor, Campbell and his church had united with the Red Stone Baptist Association in Virginia. Campbell had originally traveled to Kentucky to debate Methodist and Presbyterian ministers concerning the practice of infant baptism. In these debates, he completely routed his opponents, endearing him to Kentucky Baptists. However, he soon began promulgating his baptismal regeneration heresy. Sadly, several of the leading Baptist pastors in Kentucky embraced his doctrine. Consequently, a large number of lay people who believed they were returning to New Testament Christianity also embraced his teaching. However, the majority of pastors did not support Campbell or his teaching but they feared if they exposed his heresy, it would split their churches.
William Vaughn, recognizing the need to defend the faith, preached a two-and-a-half-hour sermon that exposed Alexander Campbell and proved his doctrine was not scriptural. His sermon stirred up a hornet’s nest. The preachers who had embraced Campbellism tried to debate Vaughn, but they soon discovered they were no match for his logic and biblical knowledge. Alexander Campbell, recognizing Vaughn’s influence, made a special trip to Kentucky. He told Vaughn, “If you join me, all the Baptists of Kentucky will follow.” Vaughn rejected his offer, informing him he could never support teaching what he believed was not scriptural.
Thankfully, the pastors that had previously been too timid to speak joined Vaughn in exposing the evils of Campbellism. Many Baptist churches were split asunder, but when the dust had settled, the Baptists were stronger theologically and numerically, thanks to William Vaughn, the man who refused to compromise the truth.
Vaughn continued pastoring until he was 84 when he fell and crushed his hip. Although he was forced to give up the pastorate, he continued to preach when his health permitted. He preached his last sermon at the age of 93. A few months later, March 31, 1877, this great champion of the faith laid down his sword.