Elder¹ Daniel Parker (1781-1844) - an "anti-missionary" Baptist preacher and leader in the first half of the 19th century. Baptist churches are part of a Christian movement often regarded as an Evangelical, Protestant denomination. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Early life

Daniel Parker was born on April 6, 1781, in Culpeper County, Virginia. He was the oldest son of Elder John Parker, a former Continental soldier, and Sarah (White) Parker. The family moved to Elbert County, Georgia around 1785. Daniel professed conversion before the Nail's Creek Baptist Church in Franklin County, Georgia, and was baptized on January 19, 1802. He married Patsey Dickerson on March 11, 1802. In 1803, John & Sarah, Daniel & Patsey, and other Parker family members moved to Dickson County, Tennessee. Before the Parkers moved to Tennessee, the Nail's Creek church had licensed Daniel to the ministry. In August of 1803, Daniel and Patsy settled on Turnbull Creek. The Turnbull Baptist Church was organized by fourteen members (mostly the Parker family) in the home of John Parker in April of 1806. The Turnbull Church ordained Daniel Parker as a minister of the gospel on May 28, 1806. Parker served several churches in Tennessee. Though mostly self-taught, and often considered a backwoodsman, Parker was a skilled speaker. John Mason Peck, a Baptist missionary, would later concede that Parker spoke "with such brilliancy of thought, force, and correctness of language, as would astonish men of education and talents."² He began to engage the "missions system" controversy at least as early as 1816. For many Baptists, this consisted of whether auxiliary missionary organizations usurped the authority of the local church. Daniel and Patsey moved to Crawford County, Illinois in December of 1817, shortly before Illinois entered the Union. April 6 is the 96th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (97th in leap years). ... 1781 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Culpeper County is a county located in the state of Virginia. ... Elbert County is a county located in the state of Georgia. ... 1785 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Franklin County is a county located in the state of Georgia. ... January 19 is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1802 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 11 March is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (71st in Leap year). ... 1803 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Dickson County is a county located in the state of Tennessee. ... May 28 is the 148th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (149th in leap years). ... 1806 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... State nickname: Volunteer State Other U.S. States Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Governor Phil Bredesen (D) Official languages English Area 109,247 km² (36th)  - Land 106,846 km²  - Water 2,400 km² (2. ... Crawford County is a county located in the state of Illinois. ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... State nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State Other U.S. States Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) Official languages American English (as oppossed to Englands English) Area 149,998 km² (25th)  - Land 143,968 km²  - Water 6,030 km² (4. ...

Illinois and Texas

It was in Illinois that Parker would enter politics, stir the foreign missionary controversy, and develop a form of doctrine that would isolate him from many of his brethren, while eventually creating a small Baptist sub-group. In 1820 Parker published a pamphlet, A Public Address to the Baptist Society, and Friends of Religion in General, on the Principle and Practice of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions for the United States of America, attacking missionary practices, especially those of the recently formed Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. He published a newspaper, the Church Advocate, from 1829 to 1831. State nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State Other U.S. States Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) Official languages American English (as oppossed to Englands English) Area 149,998 km² (25th)  - Land 143,968 km²  - Water 6,030 km² (4. ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1829 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1831 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Parker became the developer of "two-seedism", a doctrine which teaches that from Adam mankind has been the bearer of two seeds, one divine and one diabolical. His teaching made (or appeared to make) the devil an eternal, rather than a created, being. Parker introduced this doctrine in a pamphlet in 1826 - Views on the Two Seeds - and supported it with another in 1827. This "two-seedism" would separate him doctrinally from many other "anti-missionary" Baptists (later known as Primitive Baptists). They remained in agreement in their opposition to missionary societies, tract societies, Bible societies, Sunday schools, and theological seminaries. The churches holding the two-seed doctrine split from the Primitive Baptists late in the 19th century, and became known as Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists. Opponents of Parker, both within and without the anti-missionary movement, would accuse him of dualistic Manichaeism and even Zoroastrianism. Alexander Campbell, in 1830, marked Parker as "the author of American Manichaenism, and teacher of Persian Predestination."³ Parker probably developed his beliefs independently of any knowledge of Mani or Zoroaster. Some scholars believe that his idea was developed to soften criticism of the doctrine of election. Primitive Baptists are a group of Baptists that have an historical connection to the missionary/anti-missionary controversy that divided Baptists of America in the early part of the 19th century. ... A Bible Society is a non-profit organization (usually ecumenical Protestant in makeup) devoted to publishing and distributing the Bible for free or at subsidized low cost. ... Sunday school, Indians and whites. ... Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists are part of a larger sub-group of Baptists that is commonly referred to as anti-mission Baptist. ... The term dualism is the state of being dual, or having a two fold division. ... Manichean priests, writing at their desk, with panel inscription in Sogdian. ... Faravahar, the depiction of the human soul before birth and after death. ... Alexander Campbell (September 12, 1788 – March 4, 1866) was an early leader of a movement that began in 1800 with the goal of removing divisions between Christians, by returning believers in the New Testament to principles of Truth and Union. ... 1830 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Mani (in Persian مانی), born in western Persia (approximately 210-276 A.D.), was a religious preacher and the founder of Manichaeism, an ancient gnostic religion that was once prolific but now considered extinct. ... Zartosht, as popularly depicted by Iranian artists. ...

Parker made a trip to Texas to investigate the land and the laws. Still a part of Mexico, the Texas (Mexican) law protected the Roman Catholic Church and forbade the establishment of other religions. The Mexican government, nevertheless, tolerated the presence of Protestants, and did not persecute them on religious grounds. Parker visited the Austin Colony in the winter of 1832-33. He perceived that while the law forbade establishing a Baptist church in Texas, it did not forbid the immigration of such a body. On July 26, 1833, he and six others established the Pilgrim Regular Predestinarian Baptist Church at Lamotte, Illinois. The first assembly of the pilgrims and Pilgrim Church in Texas was on January 18, 1834, in Daniel Parker's home near present-day Navasota, Texas in Grime County. From there they moved and built Fort Brown near what is now Grapeland, Texas, and then a little further northwest to 4600 acres (19 km²) not far from the present-day city of Elkhart in Anderson County. On October 17, 1840, representatives from four churches met at Hopewell Predestinarian Baptist Church near Douglass, Texas. Here Parker led in the organization of the Union Association of Regular Predestinarian Baptists. It was the second Baptist association organized in Texas. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... July 26 is the 207th day (208th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 158 days remaining. ... 1833 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... January 18 is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1834 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Navasota is a city located in Grimes County, Texas. ... Grimes County is a county located in the state of Texas. ... Grapeland is a city located in Houston County, Texas. ... Elkhart is a town located in Anderson County, Texas. ... Anderson County is a county located in the state of Texas. ... October 17 is the 290th (in leap years the 291st) day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. ... 1840 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Parker served as a state senator in Illinois from 1822 to 1826. He voted against pay raises for legislators, opposed increasing the bounty on wolf scalps, worked to reform the method of county road maintenance, favored the construction of a canal from the Illinois River to Lake Michigan, and introduced bills for the construction of at least four roads. He worked actively for abolition of slavery, though his opinion was in the minority in the Senate. His last official act, on January 21, 1826, was to dismiss the Senate with prayer. Parker's anti-slavery stance probably contributed to his defeat in the election of 1826. The religious controversies in which he was engaged did not help either. In 1832 he appeared on the Crawford County ballot for the House of Representatives, but was defeated. Wimberly noted, "By 1832, Parker had not changed, but Illinois had." (Frontier Religion: 54) 1822 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1826 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Sunset on Lake Michigan A different sunset on the lake. ... January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1826 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1832 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

Daniel Parker was elected to represent Nacogdoches County at the General Council of the Provisional Government of Texas in the fall of 1835. At this consultation, he served on several committees and proposed several resolutions. Parker spoke in favor of peace with Mexico, citing their liberal dealings with the Texans, including large grants of land and exemption from taxes and duties. He also proposed consulting with the Cherokee and Shawnee Indian tribes concerning certain land grievances. A resolution by Parker, perhaps his most important, led to the establishment of the Texas Rangers, the oldest law enforcement body in North America with statewide jurisdiction. Nacogdoches County (pronounced nack-a-doe-chis) is a county located in the state of Texas. ... 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... This is the current Texan Collaboration of the Month! Please help improve it to featured article standard. ... World map showing location of North America A satellite composite image of North America North America is a continent in the northern hemisphere, bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west...

He was elected a member of the Fourth Congress of the Republic of Texas in 1839. He took his seat on November 11, and was elected to a committee. The House vacated his seat on November 14, because ordained ministers were constitutionally ineligible to serve, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. President Mirabeau B. Lamar declared the seat officially vacant on November 18, 1839. Official language English de facto nationwide also Spanish, French, German and Native American languages regionally Capital Washington-on-the-Brazos 1836 Harrisburg 1836 Galveston 1836 Velasco 1836 Houston 1837–1839 Austin 1839–1845 Largest city San Antonio, Texas Presidents David G. Burnet, Sam Houston, Mirabeau B. Lamar, Anson Jones Area... November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 50 days remaining. ... November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining. ... November 18 is the 322nd day of the year (323rd in leap years), with 43 remaining. ... 1839 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Parker remained quite active into his sixties. In August of 1844, he set out on a trip to visit some churches he had organized, and probably to assist in the formation of an association in Jasper County. He became ill and had to return home, yet continued church and familial activities. His body weakened and he became bedridden in November. Daniel Parker died at his home in Anderson County, Texas on December 3, 1844, and was buried in the Pilgrim Predestinarian Baptist Church Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, nine children, and five siblings. His wife Patsey died two years later. Daniel and Patsey Parker had eleven children. 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Jasper County is a county located in the state of Texas. ... Anderson County is a county located in the state of Texas. ... December 3 is the 337th (in leap years the 338th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Summary

J. M. Carroll declared Parker's ministry "left a mighty empress on East Texas" - not only on the Primitive Baptists, but on the missionary Baptists as well. The Pilgrim Predestinarian Baptist Church, which meets near Elkhart, Texas, is the oldest Baptist church in the state. Pilgrim Church is now identified with the Absolute Predestinarian branch of the Primitive Baptists, but not with "two-seedism". The Union Association remains in existence with three churches (but not the Pilgrim Church), also identified as Absolute Predestinarian Primitive Baptist. Parker's legacy of "two-seedism" also remains in Texas, with two congregations meeting near Jacksboro in Jack County, Texas. Though mostly self-taught, Parker made his mark in both religion and politics. He traveled extensively and wrote several books to promote the faith that he preached. Apparently the toils and travels of Texas frontier life silenced the pen of Parker. Except for correspondence, there seems to be no extant writings from that period. Though remembered as an "anti-missionary", he was responsible for the organization of about 9 churches in Texas, as well as several in Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee. Elkhart is a town located in Anderson County, Texas. ... Jacksboro is a city located in Jack County, Texas. ... Jack County is a county located in the state of Texas. ... State nickname: The Hoosier State Other U.S. States Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Governor Mitch Daniels (R) Official languages English Area 94,321 km² (38th)  - Land 92,897 km²  - Water 1,424 km² (1. ... State nickname: Volunteer State Other U.S. States Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Governor Phil Bredesen (D) Official languages English Area 109,247 km² (36th)  - Land 106,846 km²  - Water 2,400 km² (2. ...

Books by Daniel Parker

• A Public Address (1820)
• Plain Truth, &c. (1823)
• The Author's Defence (1824)
• Views on the Two Seeds (1826)
• The Second Dose of Doctrine on the Two Seeds (1827)
• A Short Hint (1827)
• A Short History (1831)

External links

• Entry for Daniel Parker from the Handbook of Texas Online
• Daniel Parker's "Homepage"

The Handbook of Texas (ISBN 0-87611-151-7) is a comprehensive encyclopedia of Texas geography, history, and historical persons published jointly by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) and the General Libraries at the University of Texas at Austin. ...

References

• A History of Texas Baptists, by James Milton Carroll
• Dictionary of Baptists in America, Bill J. Leonard, editor
• Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists (4 vols.), Norman W. Cox, et al., editors
• Frontier Blood: The Saga of the Parker Family, by Jo Ella Powell Exley
• Frontier Religion: Elder Daniel Parker, His Religious and Political Life, by Dan B. Wimberly
• The Genesis of American Anti-Missionism, by Benajah Harvey Carroll

Related subjects

• Baptist General Convention of Texas
• Fort Parker Massacre
• Quanah Parker

Baptist General Convention of Texas - the oldest surviving convention serving Southern Baptists in Spain (and later Mexico), non-Catholic religious worship was prohibited. ... The Fort Parker Massacre was an event in 1836 in which members of the pioneer Parker family were killed in a raid by Native Americans1. ... Quanah Parker (c. ...

Footnotes

• 1. Elder - an ordained Baptist minister
• 2. Historical Sketches of the Baptist Denomination in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, by John Mason Peck in The Baptist Memorial and Monthly Chronicle, July 15, 1842
• 3. Alexander Campbell in The Christian Baptist, March 1, 1830