How much did Baptists read and study in 1909?

While recently being interviewed on the Tucker Carlson Show, J.D. Hall made the claim, ''Back then, especially before the age of the internet and with the cost of publishing, the typical pastor in a Baptist or Congregationalist congregation would own a Bible and that would be about it."

Is Hall’s assertion true? No, it is not! It is amazing how much Baptists were reading in the early 20th century.

A quick search revealed that in 1909 alone, Baptists had published such classics as “Our Church Life” by J.M. Frost, “The Heart of the Old Testament” by J.R. Sampey, “Baptist Principles” by E.E. Folk, “Grace, Giving and Forgiving” by J.B. Moody, “Baptizo” by W.A. Jarrel and “A History of Alien Immersion” by J.H. Grime. Many other titles could be mentioned from that year.

This is in addition to the weekly Baptist newspapers that existed throughout the U.S. In 1909, these were still full of doctrinal articles, sermons, and biblical expositions.

In the South, Baptist newspapers kept readers informed of denominational events. The Christian Index in Georgia, The Western Recorder in Kentucky, and the Baptist and Reflector in Tennessee supplied Baptists with news, while columnists provided practical and Biblical advice.

The fact is, in 1909, the average Baptist pastor was well-read. Books were plentiful and inexpensive. In the South, the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board and the Baptist Book Concern were publishing many excellent books that helped keep Baptists sound in the faith.

Do not believe those who claim that 125 years ago, Baptists were ignorant and uneducated, with only a Bible in their library. The truth is otherwise.

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Ben Stratton is pastor of Farmington Baptist Church in Graves County and a historian with the J.H. Spencer Historical Society. Adapted from an article in Kentucky Today.