James Milton Carroll
Encyclopedia
James Milton Carroll was an American
Baptist
pastor, leader, historian, author, and educator.
, he moved at age 6 with his family to Burleson County, Texas in 1858. He had to leave school early to help the family.
after five years of intensive study. He won every award offered to students.
and the regional Southern Baptist Convention
(which became a national organization).
Active as an educator, he led in founding and was the first president of San Marcos Baptist Academy
. He later served as the founding president of Oklahoma Baptist University
in Shawnee
, followed by service as president of Howard Payne University
in Brownwood
, Texas. An amateur ornithologist, Carroll had a large collection of bird eggs and bird specimens. When Oklahoma Baptist University faced financial difficulties, he sold his entire collection to the University of Oklahoma with the proceeds used to pay off the debts of the university.
His lasting legacy among Baptists is his booklet entitled The Trail of Blood
(1931). This collection of five lectures describes Baptist history as a direct succession
from apostolic times of early Christianity. It promoted the Landmarkist
view of Baptist origins, a movement that developed in the mid-nineteenth century among Tennessee and western congregations, and had lasting influences.
James Milton Carroll died in Fort Worth
. He was buried in San Antonio
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
pastor, leader, historian, author, and educator.
Early life and education
James Milton was one of twelve children born to Benajah and Mary Eliza (Mallard) Carroll. His father was a Baptist minister. Born near Monticello, ArkansasMonticello, Arkansas
Monticello is a city in Drew County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 9,327. The city is the county seat of Drew County. It is the home of the University of Arkansas at Monticello.-History:...
, he moved at age 6 with his family to Burleson County, Texas in 1858. He had to leave school early to help the family.
Marriage and family
On December 22, 1870, at age 18, Carroll married Sudie Eliza Womble. Despite having had to leave school early, he later graduated from Baylor UniversityBaylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
after five years of intensive study. He won every award offered to students.
Career
Carroll was a denominational leader in both the state Baptist General Convention of TexasBaptist General Convention of Texas
The Baptist General Convention of Texas is the oldest surviving Baptist convention in the state of Texas. The churches cooperating with the Baptist General Convention of Texas partner nationally and internationally with both the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,...
and the regional Southern Baptist Convention
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
(which became a national organization).
Active as an educator, he led in founding and was the first president of San Marcos Baptist Academy
San Marcos Baptist Academy
San Marcos Baptist Academy is a Baptist, coed prep school that is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Texas Association of Boarding Schools...
. He later served as the founding president of Oklahoma Baptist University
Oklahoma Baptist University
Oklahoma Baptist University is a co-educational Christian liberal arts university located in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and owned by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Established in 1910, OBU is ranked No.2 among baccalaureate colleges in the western region in the 2010 U.S...
in Shawnee
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Shawnee is a city in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 29,857 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the Oklahoma City-Shawnee Combined Statistical Area; it is also the county seat of Pottawatomie County and the principal city of the Shawnee Micropolitan Statistical...
, followed by service as president of Howard Payne University
Howard Payne University
Howard Payne University is a four-year private university located in Brownwood, Texas.Currently the university enrolls 1,400 full-time students. Howard Payne is known for the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom, its Music program and its Christian Studies program...
in Brownwood
Brownwood, Texas
Brownwood is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, Texas, United States. The population was 18,813 at the 2000 census.-History:The original site of the Brown County seat of Brownwood was on the east of Pecan Bayou. A dispute arose over land and water rights, and the settlers were forced...
, Texas. An amateur ornithologist, Carroll had a large collection of bird eggs and bird specimens. When Oklahoma Baptist University faced financial difficulties, he sold his entire collection to the University of Oklahoma with the proceeds used to pay off the debts of the university.
His lasting legacy among Baptists is his booklet entitled The Trail of Blood
The Trail of Blood
The Trail of Blood is a booklet by the Baptist minister, Dr. James Milton Carroll. It is a collection of five lectures he gave on the history of Baptist churches, which he presented as a succession from the first Christians....
(1931). This collection of five lectures describes Baptist history as a direct succession
Succession
Succession is the act or process of following in order or sequence. It may further refer to:*Order of succession, in politics, the ascension to power by one ruler, official, or monarch after the death, resignation, or removal from office of another, usually in a clearly defined order*Succession...
from apostolic times of early Christianity. It promoted the Landmarkist
Landmarkism
Landmarkism is a type of Baptist ecclesiology--it may also appear as Old Landmarkism in some works. Adherents are normally styled Landmark Baptists or simply Landmarkers within the United States, but are known as Landmarkists in the United Kingdom. The term Landmarkism originates in : "Remove not...
view of Baptist origins, a movement that developed in the mid-nineteenth century among Tennessee and western congregations, and had lasting influences.
James Milton Carroll died in Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
. He was buried in San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
.
Books
- Texas Baptist Statistics (1895),
- A History of Texas Baptists(1923), and
- B. H. Carroll, the Colossus of Baptist History, a biography of his brother Benajah Harvey CarrollBenajah Harvey CarrollBenajah Harvey Carroll, known as B.H. Carroll , was a Baptist pastor, theologian, teacher, and author.-Biography:...
. (Later edition, ed. J.W. Crowder (Fort Worth TX: pvt. prtg., 1946)
Legacy and honors
- 1884, Carroll was awarded an honorary Master of Arts degree by Baylor University after delivering the commencement sermon.
Further reading
- Davis C. Wooley, Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists Vol. 1, Broadman Press, 1958, 1982.