Rev. Isaac Backus was born at Norwich, Conn., Jan, 9, 1724, of parents who were actively identified with the "pure" Congregationalism as opposed to the Saybrook platform, and his early religious training influenced greatly his future life. He was converted in 1741 during the Great New England Awakening, but did not join himself to the church until ten months later, and then with much hesitation, owing to the laxity of church discipline and its low state of religious feeling. From this church - the First Congregational of Norwich - he and others soon separated themselves, and began to hold meetings on the Sabbath for mutual edification. Feeling himself called by God to the work of his ministry, he shortly after began to exhort and preach, although there were at that time penal enactments against public preaching by any except settled pastors, unless with their consent and at their express desire. He was, however, unmolested, and addressed himself earnestly to the work of a pastor and evangelist, his first pastorate being, that of a Separate church at Middleborough, to which he was ordained in 1748. In the following year he married Susannah Mason, of Rehoboth, with whom he lived fifty-one years, and of whom he wrote near the close of his life that be considered her the greatest earthly blessing God had given him.The subject of baptism was agitating the church of which Mr. Backus took charge, and it was only after a long and bitter struggle with himself that two years later he was enabled to put aside all doubts and perplexities on the subject and come out unreservedly for baptism through a profession of faith. His stand on this subject and his baptism by Elder Pierce, of Rhode Island, soon led to his exclusion from the church, although he did not consider himself a Baptist, nor did he desire to connect himself with that denomination. He continued his labors as an evangelist until 1756, when, with six baptized believers, a Baptist church was formed in Middleborough, and Mr. Backus was ordained its pastor. In 1765 he was elected a trustee of Brown University, which position he held for thirty-four years.
At this time the Baptists were subject to much oppression and persecution by the civil powers of Massachusetts. They were taxed for the maintenance of the state churches, and upon refusal of payment of rates their lands and goods were distressed, and themselves put in prison. In 1774, Mr. Backus was chosen agent of the Baptist churches of Massachusetts, and to his faithful and untiring labors we owe much of our present civil liberty. For ten years he labored and struggled and wrote for exemption from the burdens laid upon the Baptists; but although not entirely unsuccessful he did not live to see the fruit of his work, the entire severance of church and state in Massachusetts not taking place until 1833.
In 1774, Mr. Backus was sent as the agent of the Baptist churches of the Warren Association to Philadelphia to endeavor to enlist in their behalf the Continental Congress, which met there at that time. He with agents from other Associations conferred with the Massachusetts delegation and others, and President Manning, of Brown University, read a memorial setting forth the grievances and oppressions under which the Baptists labored, and praying for relief therefrom. The result of this effort on the part of the New England Baptists to obtain religious freedom was hurtful rather than advantageous. After the adjournment of the Continental Congress most unjust and untruthful reports were circulated in regard to the proceedings of the conference. The Baptists were accused of presenting false charges of oppression in order to prevent the colonies uniting in defense of their liberties. To counteract if possible these injurious reports Mr. Backus met the Committee of Grievances at Boston, and they drew up an address affirming their loyalty to the colonies and defending their action at Philadelphia, and it was presented to the Congress of Massachusetts then in session. In 1775, when the General Court met at Watertown, Mr. Backus sent in a memorial, setting forth with great plainness the policy of the State towards those who were not of the Standing Order, and demanding religious liberty as the inherent right of every man. This memorial was twice read in the Assembly, and permission was given Dr. Fletcher to bring in a bill for the redress of the grievances "he apprehended the Baptists labored under." The bill was brought in but never acted upon by the House. Under the direction of the Association, which met that year at Warren, Mr. Backus then drew up a letter to all the Baptist societies asking for a general meeting of their delegates for devising the best means for attaining their religious freedom. In 1777 he read an address before the Warren Association "To the People of New England" on the subject of religious freedom, and the same year his first volume of the "History of New England" was issued. In the following year he read before the Warren Association another paper on religious liberty, which was published at their unanimous request. In 1779 he published in the Independent Chronicle, of Boston, a reply to the statement made at the drafting of the proposed new State constitution, that the Baptists had never been persecuted, and they had sent their agent to Philadelphia in 1774 with a false memorial of their grievances in order to prevent the union of the colonies. This false assertion was made in order to obtain votes necessary to carry Article III, in the Bill of Rights, which gave to civil rulers powers in religious matters. In 1780 the Baptist Convention published in appeal to the people against this article, which led to a newspaper controversy, in which the Baptists were defended by Mr. Backus. A protest was then issued by the Association, but the General Court nevertheless adopted the objectionable article, and the Warren Association through their agent again addressed the Baptists of the State. Under the new constitution the Baptists, "if they gave in certificates to the ruling sect that they belonged to a Baptist society, and desired their money to go to the minister thereof, he (the minister) could sue the money out of the hands of those who took it." Mr. Backus met the Committee of Grievances in 1785 to consult with them in relation to their course of action under such ruling. They concluded to accept the compromise despite the earnest objections of Mr. Backus. Had they been willing to resist, even to the loss of their property, the giving in of certificates, and had they demanded the entire separation of church and state, the desired end would no doubt have been attained many years before it was.
In 1789, Mr. Backus visited Virginia and North Carolina, at the request of the brethren, for the purpose of strengthening and building up their churches. He spent six months in this work, and was the means of accomplishing much good. The distance he traveled while there - some 3000 miles -- and the number of sermons preached - 126 - show the marvelous energy of the man, and the immense amount of work he must have accomplished during his ministerial life.
Mr. Backus continued in the active duties of a pastor and evangelist until within a short time of his death, which occurred Nov. 20, 1806. In appearance he was tall and commanding, and in later years inclined towards portliness. He possessed an iron constitution, and was capable of great physical endurance.
The historical works of Mr. Backus are of great value on account of the deep research he made in the collection of his material, and his impartiality in presenting the facts. The Baptists owe much to him for the discovery and preservation of many interesting and important events concerning their history during colonial times.
=========== [From William Cathcart, editor, The Baptist Encyclopedia, 1881; reprint, 1988, pp. 52-54. - Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
Other Backus Articles
Baptist History Homepage