Transcribed from Appalachia Crossroads, The Caudill Family Compiled by Clayton R. Cox

 Transcribed by J. B. Francis
 

Eulogy for Elder John A. Caudill

By Elder James Dixon

Elder John A. Caudill born January 1, 1798, North Carolina

He was minister of the Regular Baptist Church of Jesus Christ, was born in Ash County, North

Carolina of respectable parents, who immigrated with their family to Kentucky, (Perry County, now Letcher) where Elder Caudill was brought up from his early boyhood, with a very common education, only after the ordinary manner and style of the early settlers of the mountains of Kentucky, breathing the free air of the healthful climate, he was robust and vigorous, yet moral and jovial, a love of truth inspired his youthful mind, which united in it the principles of virtue and piety (an example for all youths).  But in order to make him useful in after life, and to enjoy future blessings for all eternity God who caused the light to shine out of darkness, pierced his heart and taught him that something more than morals was necessary to save his soul from second death; and after a sore and burdensome struggle, the penitential prodigal stripped of self, shocked and mortified with the horrible sight of a helpless sinner, without strength or merit save in the blood of Christ, and through his name.

About 1825 heard with ear of understanding, a serious voice saying, “Arise from the dead, thou that sleepiest and Christ shall give thee light”.  So Christ, the hope of glory, was found in his soul, which buoyed him up through another life; and united with faith in Christ, triumphed in death; and he being dead to sin and alive to God, to serve Him in newness of spirit, which spirit is of God and not of this world and leads his mind right, led his mind to the Regular Baptist Church of Christ at Sandlick, about December 1826, where the writer believes he was immersed by Elder John Dixon.  There he for some time lived a private member, with great zeal and earnestness, until God, who caused the light to shine out of darkness, shone in his heart and impress him to preach the glorious Gospel of his son, and about 1837 he was advanced by his church to the rank of licentiate, when soon it became apparent to the minds of his brethren that his gift required further liberty.  They called a Presbytery about the year 1838, consisting of Elder John Dixon of Harlan County and others, who finding him orthodox in faith and principles of the Gospel, ordained and set him apart to full functions of the ministry.  Elder Caudill possessed a large share of Christian affections and love for his denomination which soon brought him into high esteem, not only with his church at home, but his neighboring churches.  They began to call for his services as a pastor, circumstances had caused vacancies; and God who hears the righteous cry, supplies their wants.  The Carr’s Fork, Thornton and Indian Bottom churches all came under his watchful care as pastor,  and he being a good disciplinarian, was generally enabled by the Lord to lead the churches in peace, when we hope, souls were added to Lord and to the churches to proclaim the Gospel message which in time began to give relief to the wayworn and weary pilgrim’s life, by releasing him from the care of most of the churches, save the one at home and Cowan Church part of the time, which he served with his partner, Henry Day.

Although his mortal remains lie underground he yet lives in the minds of his brethren, who through life will cherish the fondest thoughts of his Christian affections an example which is worthy of imitation by all the brethren of the New Salem Association.

One thing particular, characteristic of his life’s peculiar example, was that when convinced of the slightest wrong, that might wound his brethren's feelings he would not put them to the trouble of asking him to acknowledge, but was ready to fall at their feet, and heal the wound. Oh! Brethren let us try to follow that Christian example.

His manner of preaching was plain, yet interesting sting, drawing a line of prophetic testimony into the New Testament, proving the former by the latter evangelistic testimony.

And now, my brethren of the New Salem Association, in answer to your request, I have briefly traced the humble pilgrim almost to the brink of Jordon.  Do we not imagine that we can look back a little and see him as he rises in the pulpit leaning upon his staff to steady his tottering body until he might edify his brethren, and although upon Jordon’s brink, when under the powerful influence of the Spirit of God which seemed to bring him in view of his promised rest, he would stand erect and proclaim the Gospel.  Elder Caudill was an enterprising man, and looked well to the ordinary interest of his family, assisted by the united efforts of an industrious companion who, now morns her loss.  He departed this life after a short illness, may 10, 1873, which ended his earthly suffering and was the beginning of his eternal rest, we hope.

                                                                                                            James Dickson