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The Gospel Messenger, December, 1885
Biographical, Elder Sion Bass (Includes picture)
I was the first child of John and Annie Bass, and was born in Sumner county, Tenn., Aug. 11th, 1802. My father and mother were natives of North Carolina, and both Primitive Baptists. I think I saw them baptized, though I was very small. In the second year of my age, father moved to Wilson county, Tenn., on the watgers of Round Lick crek, where I have lived ever since. In my 21st year I took a notion to marry and settle myself, and married Sally philips, who is still living, and in her 82nd year. We have lived together about sixty-one years, and I think I risk nothing in sayin gshe has been a great helpmate to me, both secular and ministerial. Her father and mother were both Primitive Baptists.
I now turn to my experience; I believed while in my natural state, whether from tradition, or otherwise, that there was a prepartion necessary for eternity, but like all other carnal men, thought there was time enough; and went on in my carnal ways, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and was by nature, a child of wrath as others, promising the Lord that after a while I would turn and seek him, but broke them as fast as I made them. I went on making and breaking promises until the latter part of July, 1828, at which time I went to Grandfather Wherries, in Sumner county, Tenn., to invite the relatives to the wedding, which was to come off in August. Whilst there I took occasion to walk out in the corn-field, and whilst out there, the promises I had made the Lord came into my mind, accompanied with gloomy apprehension and fearful forebodings ? the law accusing me for telling the Lord so many lies, saying, ?Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them.? I now tried to keep that law that was written in my heart of salvation from sin; but the law is spiritual, holy, just, and good, and me, a poor sinner, condemned, and jsutly; and if it had been possible for me to have kept that law every whit, it would have been a religion of law and not gospel; it would have been of works and not of grace; and the scriptures would not have been true that by the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified. Thus I went on, ruined and condemned, till one memorable night at my father?s, at a night meeting, after preaching; as there was some excitement in the congregation in time of service, and as it was customary to call for mourners, the invitation was given, and I said in my heart that I was the one that desired the prayers of God?s people, so I went and knelt by the side of a bench, and prayer being ended, I got up, sat on the beach, and that strange occurrence appeared to me again; yes, it came upon me again ? my whole physical frame was shocked; I thought I should fall on the floor; I sprang to my feet, went into the little room and fell on a bed ot my left, and it did appear that my mind became passive for the weill of God to be done. And when I gave up al lhope of being saved by the deeds of the law, immediately these words of Jesus passed through my mind, ?Arise, take up thy bed and walk,? immediately the gloom and fearful forebodings were gone, and I was left as calm as a little infant. Upon this report I was received into the fellowhip of Spring Creek Church, Wilton county, Tenn., anhd was baptized by Leder John Jones.
Here, permit me to say, as to my impressions to preach, or teach, as we call it a call to the ministry ? if ever I received a call to the ministry, it commenced at my conversion to God; from that time uneasiness of mind to talk to the people about the great truths of the gospel and defned them, continued until is became a great burden, so that I could see no satisfaction. I resolved to talk to the church about it, and told them the impressions of my mind, and asked advice; they told me to go tell it wherever God, in providence, cast my lot. Here an old sister broke out and said ?Loose the colt and let it go, for the Master had need of it.? After hearing and proving me about eighteen months, and finding me as they thought, sound in the faith, my ordination was called, and a presbytery, consisting of Elders James Bond, Levy Durham, and John Jones, who, after examination and prayer by James Bond, a laying on of their hands, the right hand of fellowship was given me therunto. I have been in the service of my Master, trying to soe the seed of truth, about fifty-three or fifty-four years; where this seed has fallen I know not, but the Master knoweth, and that?s enough. So, farewell brthren in the Lord, once and all. SION BASS.
Elder Bass departed this life September 27th, 1884. See obituary in MESSENGER of June, ?85. ? Ed.
The Gospel Messenger, 1885, June Issue
Elder Sion Bass
Elder Sion Bass was born August 11th, 1802, in Sumner county, Tenn., and died September 27th, 1884; aged 82 years, 1 month and 16 days. In his second year his father moved to Wilson county, then a wilderness. At the age of 21 he was married to Miss Sallie Philips, who now survives him at the age of 82 years. In about 18 months after his marriage he became concerned about his salvation, and remained in that condition about 18 months, which was bout the year 1825, in which the Lord revealed himself as his Saviour. He joined the Baptist Church at Spring Creek, Wilson county, in the year 1827, and commenced preaching in the year 1930. After hearing him and proving him about 18 months, the church was satisfied with his fight, and called for his ordination. A presbytery was called, consisting of the following named elders: James Bond, Levi Durham and John Jones. He was shortly afterward called to the care of Round Lick Church, and served her as pastor for 45 years. He also served Brush Church near 40 years. When the innovation began to creep in the churches, and Associations caused by the Fuller doctrine, he was among the first to oppose them, taking a bold stand against the State Convention; in a word, opposing the institutions of men being connected with the church. He was among the first to withdraw from Sale Association on the account of those institutions. He was in the organization of the Round Lick Association of the Primitive Baptists, and served as Clerk of the Association 28 years; and after he resigned the clerkship he was elected Moderator several times. He was a good disciplinarian, as long as he could hear will (he became deaf in his last days). He attended as messenger from his church (Round Lick, having joined by letter from Spring Creek) forty sessions without missing one. He was greatly afflicted with a cough the last 35 years of his life, but, strange to say, it never interfered with his speaking except about twice, in he last efforts. His last discourse was on the fifth Sunday in August, 1884, near his home. In preaching he referred to the doctrine he had contended for during his ministry. He said he was not afraid to risk it. He preached about thirty minutes, with great effect. In June, the first Sunday, 1883 he preached the next to the last sermon he ever preached, which was able.
In his last sickness he said the end was near. He bore his sickness with patience, waiting patiently for the summons. About midnight on Friday night he had a spell of coughing which lasted near an hour, after which he lay easy on his side; then he turned on his back and put his hands across hi breast and lay that way near half an hour, and breathed his last, dying like one going to sleep.
Brother Bass was a gifted man, mighty in the scriptures, and able defender, a good speaker, and a mighty reasoner. There were but a few that were his equals; sound in the faith, contending or the salvation alone of God?s people by grace, they having no qualification in nature to do good works. The doctrine of election and predestination of God?s people were great themes with him. He was a men with untiring energy. It was several years he was nearly along in the Round Lick Association ? only one other old minister, and he was not able to travel; yet he traveled, and done all he could to keep the churches together until the Lord raised up more preachers. When the Parker two-sse heresy sprung up he opposed it, contending for the salvation of the Adam sinner. He las left his dear old companion, a Primitive Baptist, who is blind, to grieve at the present parting, but to soon meet again, to be with Jesus forever; also, eight children to mourn his death ? some entertaining a hope to meet him, while others have not expressed a hope. Children, how do you feel on the subject, some not having discharged their duty? Will you not follow Christ, as your father has done, who could say when his departure was at hand, I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, and hence there is a crown of righteousness laid up for me the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me in the day, Etc. ?
Commerce, Wilson Co., Tenn. P.M. Lancaster
1860 Federal Census of Shop Spring, Wilson County, TN (31 Jul 1860)
Sion Bass 57 M Tennessee United Bap. Min. 4375 3370
Sarah 56 F Tennessee
Eliza 35 F Tennessee
Sion 14 M Tennessee
Living next door
1860 Federal Census of Shop Spring, Wilson County, TN (31 Jul 1860)
John T. Bass 35 M Tennessee Farmer 2220 1070
Pamelia 28 F Tennessee
Rufus 9 M Tennessee
Burcellus 7 F Tennessee
Mary 5 F Tennessee
Living next door
1860 Federal Census of Shop Spring, Wilson County, TN (31 Jul 1860)
A.J. Bass 34 M Tenneesse Farmer 3320 1030
Elizabeth 35 F Tennessee
Martha 12 F Tennessee
Erinna 10 F Tennessee
Margaret 8 F Tennessee
Willard 6 M Tennessee
Roland 4 M Tennessee
Henry 1 F Tennessee
Living next door
1860 Federal Census of Shop Spring, Wilson County, TN (31 Jul 1860)
Martha Bass 57 F Tennessee Farmer 1950 1470
Norval 25 M Tennessee
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Bassett Family Association Database
1802 - 1884 (82 years)