John Waller Grave

“I determined never to rest until it pleased God to show mercy or cut me off … I hasted into a neighbouring wood, and dropped on my knees before God, to beg for mercy. In an instant, I felt my heart melt and a sweet application of the Redeemer’s love to my poor soul.”

John Waller was somewhat of a hellion before God extended mercy to his lost soul. Known for his “potty mouth,” John Waller earned the unflattering nickname “The Devil’s Adjutant” because he was always in the middle of some mischievous and destructive activity. “He could out swear and outfight any man in his day.” (Michael Edds, “Swearin’ Jack Waller – Hero of the Faith”) His hatred for most things was especially focused on the Baptists of his area; their proselytizing and “anti-fun” preaching was really galling to the miscreant.

But that all changed in the most unusual way. Called to sit on a grand jury, Waller thought this was his opportunity to strike a blow to the cause of the dissenters in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Before him was the accusation that Lewis Craig had “disturbed the peace” with his preaching without authorization from the Anglican Church, Virginia’s established church. Following the presentation of evidence against him, Craig was given the opportunity to speak to the jury.

“(W)hen the jury by whom he was being tried went to a tavern for refreshments, he treated them to a bowl of grog, and while they were drinking it, got their attention and spoke to them to the following purport: ‘Gentlemen – I thank you for your attention to me. When I was about this courtyard, in all kinds of vanity, folly and vice, you took no notice of me but when I have forsaken all the vices, and am warning men to forsake, and repent of their sins, you bring me to the bar as a transgressor. How is all this?’” (Dr. J. H. Spencer)

Waller was shocked by Craig’s demeanor – he was happy and content – all virtues that Waller desperately desired. Vowing to find the source of these things, Waller began attending the Baptist meetings. For almost eight months he agonized over his own sinfulness and the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

“He determined in his soul never to rest from seeking until it pleased God to show mercy. Waller testified of his conversion, ‘Under these impressions, I was at a certain place, sitting under preaching and, leaving the meeting, I hasted into a neighbouring wood, and dropped on my knees before God, to beg for mercy. In an instant, I felt my heart melt and a sweet application of the Redeemer’s love to my poor soul.’” (Triennial Baptist Register of 1836)

His life trajectory would never be the same. “Swearing Jack” became “Preaching John”! The Baptists he once abhorred would become his spiritual family; he was baptized by the Rev. James Read in 1767 and ordained as pastor of the Lower Spotsylvania Baptist Church by Samuel Harris and Lewis Craig on June 20, 1770. For the next 24 years, Waller preached and pastored within a denomination that he had for many years despised. The church he pastored is still functioning at 4001 Partlow Road, Partlow, Virginia, but has since changed its name to Wallers Baptist Church to reflect its heritage.

The preaching and pastoral ministry of John Waller was anything but peaceful. Colonial Virginia was determined at that time to stamp out the dissenters that were leading the populace into what the state church called heresy. The website www.ericjames.org gives us a taste of what Waller experienced:

“Celebrity of sorts fell upon dissenting preacher John Waller. Authorities jailed Waller over six times.

• After Brother John Waller was whipped, he once more ‘remounted the stage and preached a most extraordinary sermon.’
• In Hanover County, Waller was dragged from his church by the hair.
• In Caroline County, Waller was jerked from his lectern. Sheriff William Harris whipped Waller with twenty lashes. Harris left Waller in ‘a gore of blood.’ Waller then ‘remounted the stage and preached a most extraordinary sermon, thereby showing the beaten oil is the best for the sanctuary.’
• In Spotsylvania, no less than lawyer Patrick Henry came to Waller’s defense, arguing for his release.
• In Middlesex County, John Waller was put in solitary confinement.
• In Caroline County, Sheriff Harris again ordered Waller’s church clerk to whip Waller. This time, in the presence of another minister.
• On a different occasion in Middlesex County, Waller was fed only bread and water in yet another vile incarceration.
• When found preaching yet again later in Middlesex, John Waller was stoned as he preached.”

It is said that Waller spent a total of 113 days in four different county jails during his preaching ministry.

“John Waller gave the following account of one such attack that took place in Caroline County, Virginia, during a worship service in a home: While he was singing, the priest of the parish attacked him and would keep shoving the end of his horse whip in John’s mouth, laying his whip across the hymn book, etc. After he finished singing, Waller proceeded to pray. Suddenly, he was violently jerked off of the stage by the magistrate and the parish priest. Catching him by the back part of his neck, they violently beat his head against the ground. Afterwards, he was mercilessly beaten with twenty lashes with a horse whip. The parish priest came up, cursed at him, and then warned him not to preach anymore. When Brother Waller was released, he went back singing and praising God, and then mounted the stage and preached with a great deal of liberty. Covered with his own blood, he boldly proclaimed the Word of God.” (Michael Edds, “Swearin’ Jack Waller – Hero of the Faith”)

All told, God providentially allowed the Rev. Waller to constitute 18 churches in Virginia while he ministered in the state (12 of whom are listed here):
• Lower Spotsylvania/Wallers Church
• Mine Road
• Pyney Branch
• Guinea’s Bridge
• County Line
• Williams’
• Licking Hole
• Roundabout
• Scarrotts
• Little River
• Rappadan
• Lower King and Queen

“The last sermon he preached was on the death of a young man. The text on which he preached was Zechariah ii. 4. ‘Run, speak to this young man.’ He addressed himself chiefly to youth, in feeble, but animating strains,; observing that he counted upon its being the last sermon he should ever preach: and fervently prayed that, Sampson like, he might slay more at his death than he had done in his life. He continued speaking until his strength failed him, and with reeling steps he advanced to a bed, where we thought he would have expired. Thence he was removed home in a carriage for the last time.” (James B. Taylor, “John Waller”)

John Waller rested from his labors on July 4, 1802, bearing in his body “the marks of Jesus (Galatians 6:17).” This mighty soldier for religious liberty is buried in the Waller- Hackett family burial ground in Abbeville County, near Greenwood, South Carolina.

Featured Image Credit: American Baptist Historical Society. “WhippingTree – American Baptist Historical Society.” American Baptist Historical Society, 26 June 2017, abhsarchives.org/founders-suffered-whipping/whippingtree.