Alton E. Loveless

Memoirs of the Life and Religious Experience of Ray Potter: Minister of the Gospel (History of Free Will Baptists) Alton E. Loveless

Potter, Rev. Ray, was ordained in Rhode Island by the Six Principle Baptists in 1819, and in 1820 united with the Freewill Baptist church, recently organized at Pawtucket. His letter to the Religious Reformer, May 19, 1821, stated that the revival interest continued amid much persecution, till the church numbered from sixty to seventy members, and $1000 were raised towards a house of worship. At the organization of the Rhode Island Q. M., Oct. 13, 1821, he was chosen clerk. In November, 1822, the church was rent in twain with Daniel Green at the head of one faction and Ray Potter with a majority of the church in the other. His course of conduct and heretical doctrines resulted in his separation from the Q. M. in January, 1823. April 24, 1825, he assisted in the ordination of Martin Cheney in a "Union Conference."