An Update on the Hardshell Book

Here is a revised list for chapters that I hope to complete before I leave this world. I believe the Lord has called me to write this book, thus I feel I am on a "mission." Yes, I do have other books I feel burdened to write, and hopefully, the Lord is in my purposes and desires, and I will live long enough to write these books also.

I have had to revise my list of chapters at several times. Like any author and historian, one discovers new information and sources of data while he is doing his research and writing. Thus, I have all along been reading heavily all that is available to me. Did I have the time and financial resources to travel to seminary and public libraries, across the country, and read the old books and documents that they have of the Primitive Baptists, I am sure that I could find tremendous amount of information to add to this book, which is now growing longer and longer.

I realize that this book will not be read by the masses, as other books that the Lord may lead me to write, for I know that in writing this book that my audience is limited. I know first and foremost it is written to the Primitive Baptists themselves, with the hope and prayer that God will use it to deliver them from the cult in which they are ensnared. I pray that it may help restore them to the true Primitive Baptist faith. I know that for many years their people have been fed false information relative to their history. I intend that the general Hardshell membership have access to the truth on these matters.

But, I also know that there is a larger audience too. Many today within the Baptist denomination, particularly among those called "Reformed" and associated with the "Founder's Movement" within in the Southern Baptist Convention, are struggling with inroads of "Hyper Calvinism" in its ranks.

It is also hoped that this book can be used as an aid to any who might perchance happen to be able to get a "debate" with any Hardshell on these matters. Such a debater can find a great amount of information already assembled for him in this book.

Stephen M. Garrett

Presently a member of a Southern Baptist Church that believes in the five points of Calvinism, subscribes to the London Confession of 1644, and believes heavily in missions and that the gospel is God's ordained means to call the elect to life and salvation.


Materials I am seeking:

1. Any old issues of the “Signs of the Times,” or “The Old Baptist Banner,” or of the older “Primitive Baptist” periodicals. (Time period of 1832 -1900)

2. Any issues of the “Zion’s Advocate,” especially while edited by Elder John Clark (from 1852 -1882).

3. Any copies of Elder C. H. Cayce’s “Hotshots.”

4. Any of the first debates by the Hardshell founding fathers.

5. Any evidence that any Baptist leader, church, or association, believed neo- Hardshell views on the new birth prior to 1860.

6. Any copies of the Hardshell periodicals published in the 1800's.

7. The writing of Elder J. C. Hurst (Dr. Of medicine) on Hardshell “insanity.”

8. The writing of Elder Samuel Neal Hurst (famous lawyer and preacher) wherein he gave his reasons for leaving the Primitive Baptist denomiation and the pastorate of the famous Thornton Gap Primitive Baptist Church in Virginia.

9. Any writings by Elder James Osbourne.

10. Any copy of Burkett & Read’s first history of the Kehukee Association.

11. Any information and writings by those who signed the Black Rock Address.

12. Any information about the debates that Daniel Parker had with J.M. Peck.