This week in Christian history: Johann Brenz defends Anabaptists, Benjamin Randall dies

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, October 20, 2024

Benjamin Randall dies – Oct. 22, 1808

Benjamin Randall (1749-1808), a preacher and American Revolution veteran, who helped found the New England Free Will Baptists. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when Bejamin Randall, a preacher and American Revolutionary War veteran who helped found New England Free Will Baptists, died.

A native of New Castle, New Hampshire, Randall was inspired to become a Christian thanks to the preaching of famed 18th century evangelist George Whitefield, and is credited with planting several churches in the region.

In 2016, Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College changed its name to Randall University in honor of the Baptist leader, noting that his work helped to spread revival in America early on.

“The Free Will Baptists (also known as Free, General, Open Communion, and Anti-slave Baptists) were aggressive church planters on the American frontier and embraced missions among immigrant and freedmen populations, as well as spreading the gospel internationally,” stated the university.

“Randallite Free Will Baptists were known for their opposition to slavery forming anti-slave societies, prohibiting slave owners from holding membership in the church, and publicly promoting abolition through the ‘Morningstar’ (the official newspaper of the movement).”