Sketches of Our Mountain Pioneers J. W. West (author and publisher) Lynchburg, VA, 1939 pp. 21-28

      Among the real pioneers of the Restoration Movement in America stands one, who, though he holds a minor place in historical writings, was one of the outstanding leaders in that movement. Spending about sixty years of his life in the ministry, he baptized between eight and ten thousand persons, and scores of churches in Southwest Virginia owe their origin directly to his labors, and many others were organized because of his influence. While there were forerunners in Virginia, Dr. Bullard was the first pioneer in Virginia to [begin page 22] accomplish a lasting movement.

      Chester Bullard was born March 12, 1809, at Framingham, Mass., a community twenty-one miles west of Boston. His family were members of the Congregational Church.¹ His great-grandfather, Seth Bullard, was a deeply religious man, and had as one of his, duties in the Congregational church there the preparation of the records of the religious experiences of those desiring membership in that church. Bullard's grandfather, Ebenezer Bullard, and his father, Daniel were equally pious. All the Bullards were religious, and the ministry seemed to be the preferred family calling.

      At nine years of age he was removed to Staunton, Va., and at about seventeen to Montgomery County, Va.,. It was about this time that he resolved to make an effort to become numbered with the redeemed, and in a gathering of several persons of religious convictions for some hours he prayed, until despondent of the forgiveness of his sins, his sensibilities gave way, and he was lifted into his chair. A remark by his sister to the effect that there was a change in him brought about a reaction, and a physical exhilaration as his sensibilities returned, which he interpreted as the operation of the Holy Spirit. He united with the Methodist Church, but was soon told that his views on justification were at variance with Methodist teaching, and that he was not a Methodist. The prevailing doctrine of conversion of that day was that one must be converted by visitation of the Holy Spirit, independent of any action of the Word'. Dr, Bullard had become convinced from his study of the Scriptures that the Holy Spirit acts only through the Word. [begin page 23]

      Having a mind unhampered by human ideas of conversion, he soon sought immersion as obedience, to the ordinance of Christian baptism. Finally, he met Joseph Thomas, the "White Pilgrim" (so called because he wore a long white robe as he went about preaching), and Landon Duncan. Duncan was originally a Baptist preacher, but later joined the Barton W. Stone movement. Duncan agreed to administer the ordinance of baptism, and on December 11, 1830, near the home of Parker Lucas', in Giles County, was buried in Sinking Creek with his Lord in Christian baptism. That night Chester Bullard preached his first sermon.

      During 1831, he began the study of medicine with Dr. D. J. Chapman of Giles County, Va., [begin page 24] later practising for a living, while preaching a great deal. Thus his sobriquet "Doctor." Chester Bullard, being a clear thinker, avoided the speculative doctrines of the day. His preaching presented in a clear, simple way the gospel truths. So new were they, and so foreign to the religious thought of the time, that it was two years before Dr. Bullard had a convert. But he persevered, sowing seed in good ground, even though it was slow taking root. Some accounts state that he organized his first church in Craig County near the "Catawba River," From his own account,² however, his first church seems to have been organized in Giles County on Sinking Creek about six miles below Newport. The year was 1833. Gravel Hill Church had been previously organized but the membership was scattered, and Bullard organized it on a permanent basis in 1835. This church still exists, and is about twenty miles southwest of New Castle in Craig County, being the oldest church in the county. By 1836 be had planted six churches. Among these were Alleghany in Montgomery County, and Shilo in Pulaski County.

      At what time in his life he moved to Snowville, Va., is not known. At that place was a church known as Cypress Grove, which Bullard soon won over to the Restoration Plea. He built his home, "Humility," on the opposite hill near the church. This church was the second that Bullard established. For many years Snowville was known as "The Jerusalem" of Southwest Virginia.

      For many years the converts of Dr. Bullard were called Bullardites. Once while baptizing in a mountain stream, Dr. Bullard was annoyed by a group of boys perched on a limb over the pool, [begin page 25] who, as each convert was baptized, would cry out, "Hurrah for the Bullardites." Finally, just as the last convert had been baptized, the limb broke and the boys fell into the stream. When the boys had emerged from the water Dr. Bullard shouted, "Hurrah for the Devilites."³

      Among the "Bullardites" there was a prejudice against the "Campbellites" that was as strong as among the denominations of that day. Dr. Bullard himself was prejudiced against Alexander Campbell. His oldest brother had been traveling in western Pennsylvania, and had run across the Christian Baptist, the paper published by Campbell. He recommended to his sister that she subscribe, which she did. Two numbers of the Christian Baptist were received, and two, whole volumes of the Millenial [sic] Harbinger. She was not permitted to read them, for her Lord called her to her reward, and the publications were allowed to gather dust on a shelf.

      While on a visit to his brother-in-law's home in 1839, Dr. Bullard happened to pick up from its dusty place on the shelf the copy of the Millenial [sic] Harbinger, "Extra on Regeneration." He was delighted with the views presented by Alexander Campbell, and began to preach with a new clearness and conviction. Dr. Bullard then for the first time really noticed Acts 2:38.

      The brethren in Southwest Virginia were not aware that there were others holding the same beliefs as they, but in 1839 they were visited by brethren from eastern Virginia.

      In 1840 Chester Bullard and Alexander Campbell met at Charlottesville. They had previously had some correspondence, and on learning that Alexander Campbell was to be in Charlottesville, [begin page 26] Bullard determined to meet him. The two had a number of lengthy conversations, learning that each had by an independent study of the Scriptures, arrived at the same conclusions, and were teaching the same things. The Bible alone, divorced from creeds, disciplines, articles of faith and traditions of men, makes followers of Christ one in faith, doctrine and fellowship. While Bullard had been certain that Campbell was partly right, he planned to debate with him on his "errors," in an effort to set him absolutely right. But the two found that they were kindred spirits in a common cause, and each joyfully accepted the other as a fellow-laborer in the Lord's vineyard. Thus was the work of the two men joined.

      Chester Bullard hold a number of debates. On one occasion he was to hold a debate on baptism with a Methodist preacher, T. J. Stone, whom the Methodists had selected to meet Bullard. The scene of the debate was at such a distance from the home of Bullard that he had to start out the day before in order to be on time for the debate. Riding horseback to the place of the debate, he happened to fall in with Mr. Stone, and in the conversation that ensued Bullard concluded that Stone had no relish for the debate. Soon he suggested that Stone submit to baptism at his hands. He spent the night with Stone, and soon found that Mrs. Stone presented a stumbling block to Stone's baptism. After many hours of argument and persuasion she consented to be baptized herself. Next day the large crowd gathered for the debate were surprised to learn that there was to be no debate, but that Stone and his wife were to be baptized. Stone preached many years following this among the Churches of Christ in Virginia.

      Dr. Bullard had a very strong voice, which had the capacity to carry itself for a long distance. On [begin page 27] one occasion, Brother, W. R. Hundley of East Radford, Va., states Dr. Bullard stood on a bluff overlooking New River at Eggleston, Va., and preached to the congregation gathered on the far side of the river. Brother Hundley tells of when he was a boy, (he is now about eighty-eight years of age,) that he lived about a quarter of a mile from the home of Chester Bullard at Snowville, and that he remembers hearing Dr. Bullard as he called in his slaves for morning devotions, and that he could hear and understand distinctly Bullard as he would pray. Brother Hundley states that "His voice was the strongest I ever heard."⁴

      Dr. Chester Bullard influenced a number of men to enter the ministry. His first son in the gospel was Dexter Snow, and his second was Thomas E. Shelor. Bullard's son, W. S. Bullard, became a preacher, and preached the sermon that reached and moved Chapman Lucas to obey his Christ. Chapman Lucas became a very strong preacher.

      Dr. Bullard has this to say about his own labors in the Lord's vineyard, and the labors of the other preachers of early days. "One prominent wrong was the failure to educate the brethren in the important duty of supplying the sinews of war. The churches in Southwest Virginia and West Virginia, and the border counties of North Carolina and Tennessee and of Southern Piedmont are largely the fruitage of unrequited toil. For twenty-five years I did not receive the equivalent of my horse's outfit and expenses. . . . The truth was, I had discovered the apostolic modes of conversion and sanctification, and it was pay enough to see the grateful tears of the joyful penitent [begin page 28] though to me a day of toil and fasting." Of his debates with other preachers, he states that he was "not always lamblike. The truth is, I was rendered almost desperate by the proscriptions in every form save in assaults upon my character, I certainly lacked gentleness. . . . If we could only learn an easier way than by experience."

      After a long and useful ministry, he died February 27, 1893, lacking fourteen days of reaching the age of eighty-four. He was buried at noontime, March 1st, on Chester's Hill, overlooking the town of Snowville, and his old home, "Humility."

      ¹ Some accounts say Baptist, but this is from his own autobiography, published in the Christian Standard shortly after his death.
      ² Autobiography.
      ³ Related by J.T. Watson in the History of the Gravel Hill (Craig County, Va.) Church.
      ⁴ W. R. Hundley, Historical Sketch of Snowville, Virginia, published by the author, in mimeographed form, Radford, Va., 1931.