Backus, Isaac

Backus, Isaac A.M., a distinguished Baptist minister, was born at Norwich, Conn., Jan. 9, 1724. In 1748 he was ordained pastor of a Congregational church in Titicut, Middleborough, Mass. In 1749 a number of the members of Mr. Backus's church altered their sentiments with regard to baptism, and he at length united with them in opinion. He was immersed in 1751. For some years he held to open communion, but afterward abandoned it. A Baptist church was duly constituted in 1756, and he was installed its pastor. He faithfully discharged his pastoral duties till his death, Nov. 20, 1806. To his labors during this long period the Baptists of America owe much of their success. He was a voluminous writer, and published, among other works, a History of the Baptists (3 vols.), and also an Abridgment of the same (1 vol.). A list of his writings may be seen in Sprague, Annals, 6:56. See also Hovey, Life and Times of Backus (Bost. 1858, 12mo); Christian Review, 14:197.