Isaac Backus
Isaac Backus (January 9, 1724November 20, 1806) was a leading Baptist minister during the era of the American Revolution who campaigned against state-established churches in New England. Little is known of his childhood. In "An account of the life of Isaac Backus" (completed to 1756), he provides genealogical information and a chronicle of events leading to his religious conversion.Born in the village of Yantic, now part of the town of Norwich, Connecticut, Backus was influenced by the Great Awakening and the works of Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. He was converted in 1741. For five years, he was a member of a Separatist Congregationalist church. In 1746, he became a preacher. He was ordained in 1748. Backus became a Baptist in 1751 when he became pastor of the Middleborough Baptist Church in Middleborough, Massachusetts.
In response to preaching of the Great Awakening, in 1741 Backus joined the Standing church in Norwich. The Norwich minister was distressed that the converts caused too much agitation and after a few years refused to invite itinerant New Lights, so in 1746 Backus and several other church members withdrew and formed a New Light church. In 1748 Backus became minister of a New Light church in Middleborough, Massachusetts; he continued his association with the New Lights until 1756, when he withdrew because of his opposition to infant baptism. He organized a Separate Baptist church in Middleborough and remained as minister there until his death.
In 1764, Isaac Backus joined John Brown, Nicholas Brown, William Ellery, Stephen Hopkins, James Manning, Ezra Stiles, Samuel Stillman, Morgan Edwards and several others as an original fellow or trustee for the chartering of the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (the original name for Brown University), the first Baptist school of higher learning.
Backus published a large number of tracts and a 3-volume history of the Baptist denomination. His two major concerns are reflected in these works: unification of the Separate Baptists and the struggle against religious taxation as part of efforts to achieve religious freedom. Throughout his professional career Backus travelled extensively in New England, helping to organize churches and settle disputes among various Baptist groups. The Warren Baptist Association was established in 1767; Backus was a member of the Grievance Committee formed to work toward elimination of persecution by civil authorities. As an agent of the Committee he worked to keep the issue of separation of church and state before the general public; and in 1774 he travelled to Philadelphia with other Baptists to seek assistance from the First Continental Congress.
In his later years, Backus continued to be a spokesman for Baptists. He argued for ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1790, convinced that in effect it stood for separation of church and state by prohibiting any religious test for officeholders. In 1796 he published the third volume of his History, and in 1803 an Abridgement. Backus died in Middleborough, November 20, 1806. Provided by Wikipedia
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by Backus, Isaac
Published 1796
Published 1796
printed by Manning & Loring. Sold by S. Hall, and by Manning & Loring
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by Backus, Isaac
Published 1777
Published 1777
Printed by Edward Draper, at his printing-office in Newbury-Street, and sold by Phillip Freeman, in Union-Street
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by Backus, Isaac
Published 1786
Published 1786
Printed by Bennett Wheeler, and sold by James Arnold, Esq. and the printer
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by Backus, Isaac
Published 1782
Published 1782
Printed and sold by John Carter. Also sold by Philip Freeman, in Union-Street, Boston
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by Backus, Isaac
Published 1783
Other Authors:
“...Backus, Isaac...”Published 1783
Printed for the author, and sold by Philip Freeman, at the Glove, in Union-Street
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by Backus, Isaac
Published 1793
Published 1793
Sold by Mr. Johnson, St. Paul's Church Yard; and Mr. Thomas Thomas, Houndsditch
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by Backus, Isaac
Published 1793
Published 1793
Sold by Mr. Johnson, St. Paul's Church Yard; and Mr. Thomas Thomas, Houndsditch
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by Backus, Isaac
Published 1756
Published 1756
Printed by Green & Russell, at their printing-office near the custom-house, and next to the writing-school in Queen-Street
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by Backus, Isaac
Published 1779
Published 1779
Printed and sold by John Carter, at Shakespear's Head, in Meeting-Street, near the State-House.--Sold also by Mr. Philip Freeman, in Union-Street, Boston
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