USA > Florida > The History of Methodism in Georgia and Florida: From 1785 to 1865 > Part 31
USA > Georgia > The History of Methodism in Georgia and Florida: From 1785 to 1865 > Part 31
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gle ; and at last a new and second church in addition to the first was decided on, and Trinity church was planned while Dr. Evans was in charge, and completed under the pastorate of Dr. Mann, who followed him. It was a handsome building, large, comfortable, and though plain, yet elegant. Since this time, the course of the church has been steadily onward. After the building of Trinity Church, Wesley remained a separate charge. In 1850, W. R. Branham was at Trinity, and Robert A. Connor at Wesley. In 1851 Dr. Lovick Pierce and his son, Thomas F. Pierce, had charge of the two churches; and in 1853 W. M. Crumley was sent to Trinity. Dur- ing this year there was a most memorable revival of religion in the city; one the most sweeping any city in Georgia has known. Many of the leading layınen in Georgia, and some most efficient ministers, began their religious life during that season of refreshing. The next year Mr. Crumley was returned, and with him, as assistant, the saintly young Payne.
Joshua G. Payne was the oldest son of James B. Payne, and had early become a professed Christian ; and as soon as he left college had entered into the travelling ministry. This was his second appointment, and his last. During the summer of this year, Savannah was visited by the most fearful epidemic in her history. The yellow-fever raged with a virulence never known there before. All the citizens who could get away, fled to the up-country ; but the preachers stood nobly at their posts. The two Methodist preachers were ceaseless in their labors. One of them still lives, and we are thus precluded from speaking of his heroism in langnage such as it merits ; but young Payne early fell. Ile had toiled bravely, calmly, quietly, and when he sank under
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the insidious poison, he calmly leaned his head on the breast of Jesus and fell in sleep. Dr. Saussy, a leading member of the church, while bravely attending to all the calls of humanity around him, sickened and died; and his daughter, who afterwards married the Rev. Thomas H. Jordan, of the conference, took his place, and visited the patients for whom the over-taxed phy- sicians would prescribe. In the midst of the epidemic a terrible storm came and unroofed the church. Long, weary months the fever ruled with imperious sway, but when the white-frost came the plague ceased, and the scattered citizens returned to their homes. They found their pastor broken in health from the ravages of fever and from care ; their young pastor in his grave; many of their official members dead ; their church injured; the handsome city desolated ; but with brave hearts they went to work. The people in the up-country as- sisted them, and soon all that could be done to repair these ills was done.
In 1855 and 1856, Joseph S. Key was at Trinity, Thomas H. Jordan at Wesley, and James M. Dickey at Andrew Chapel. Beyond this period it is not now necessary to go. The Savannah Church has con- tinued to advance in usefulness and power to the present time.
The old church, in the changes of population, became so remote from its members, that it was decided to sell it and purchase another lot in the newer part of the city. A church built by the Lutherans, and sold by them, was purchased. This served the congregation for a few years, but now the effort is being made to erect an elegant church, to be known as the Wesley Monu- mental Church, upon the lot, to stand as a permanent
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monument to him in that city in which his life as s Methodist began. All branches of Methodism have contributed to the erection of the building, and it wil doubtless be completed.
Much attention from the beginning had been giver to the colored people of Savannah by the Methodisti and a considerable measure of success had followe their labors. After the white and colored people har remained together in the same church, it was though proper to form them into a separate charge and suppl; them with a separate minister. This was done, an Andrew Chapel, a neat building, was erected for then and for some years they were regularly furnished b. the Missionary Society with a preacher.
There were many very valuable and intelligent mer among them who seemed much attached to the church which had cared for them.
When, however, Savannah fell into the hands of the Federal troops in the latter part of 1814, the building was turned over to the African Methodists, and the lar ger part of the membership went with it. Some fev faithful ones remained. Among these was David Deas the steward of Solomon Cohen, Esq. He was a colore layman of remarkable piety and intelligence. He wrote a very creditable letter, attended to all business intelli gently, and was a most reliable man. He refused t leave the church of his early love, and the handful tha remained with him had the church building returner to them by the courts. The General Conference of th Methodist Episcopal Church South transferred thi church among others to the Colored Methodist Episo pal Church in America.
The Savannah church has always been noted for th
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simplicity of its Christian character. In no place in Georgia has the piety of the membership been of a higher order. Struggling against such odds in its early days, it became cemented into one body, and unity in council has always marked it.
The sketch of the Savannah Church would not be complete without a brief notice of its friends and mem- bers.
Among the first and foremost friends of the Savannah Church were leading members of the Independent Pres- byterian Church. At one time the larger part of the wealth and influence of the city was in that church, and when Dr. Kollock was pastor he evinced towards the Methodists an affection which has made his memory dear to them ever since.
Mr. Millen, a Presbyterian, gave to Samuel Dunwoody and the other preachers a home, when they were preach- ing to a congregation of which only three whites were members of the Society; and Lewis Myers mentions that Dr. Harrall and Mr. E. Stark of the same commun- ion were active in the work of enlarging the church.
A full sketch of the noble men and women who stood by the Methodist Society, as it was called by friend and foe, would add greatly to the value of this account; and we are able to some extent to supply this, through the kindness of Rev. James E. Godfrey, who long lived in Savannah, and was intimately associated with the Methodist people there, and who was himself one of the most efficient of the local preachers of the Church after his location.
We give his sketch in toto :
You ask for sketches of prominent members of the' church, male and female. 20
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Francis Mathew Stone was the most prominent and useful member of the church ; did more for it than any or all others put together. I am sorry the church has kept no record of his life and labors. I will give you what I learned from himself and what I knew after- wards, from an intimate acquaintance from 1835 to 1863, when he died.
Brother Stone was a poor young man in the city, but from his sober habits won the confidence of the people; he made no pretentions to morality even, and his early life was marked by many departures from moral recti- tude. He was made marshal of the city, which office he held for forty years, and now I give you his experi- ence as he related it to me: He said he was required to keep order in the city, and as the Methodist Church was frequently disturbed by rowdies, he made his bnsi- ness to ride to the Church and sit on his horse to keep a lookout for those who were in the habit of disturbing the worship. Henry Bass was the minister, and while there in the discharge of his duty, he heard the word as preached ; he never went to church, but, under the ministry of the word, he was deeply convicted for sin, and resolved to lead a new life. He said nothing about it to any one, but strove by prayer and reading the Word to obtain pardon; for months the struggle con- tinued. He heard there was to be a camp-meeting at Taylor's Creek, in Liberty County, recently established by Allen Turner, and he resolved to attend ; he re- mained during the meeting, receiving no relief, and on Monday morning started home almost in despair. Rid- ing alone he said this thought was suggested to his mind: " Have you ever consecrated yourself wholly to God ?" He stopped his horse and took off his hat, and
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looking up to Heaven, replied audibly, " I have not." The next suggestion, which he afterwards had, no doubt, was from the Holy Spirit, " Are you willing to con- secrate yourself, body, soul, spirit, fortune, time, talent, everything, to him ?" He said he dismounted, knelt on the side of the road and said: "Lord, I am willing, and if you will pardon my sins, I will be thine for time and eternity." In a moment he felt a heavenly calin spread all over his soul, and a peace unalterable and full of glory. And he said, "My brother, from that hour to this, I have never lost the witness of the Spirit." On his arrival in the city he called on Brother Bass, and desired to join the church. The next Sabbath evening, at the conclusion of the services he and wife were received into the church.
From that day to his death he was one of the most consistent Christians I ever knew, and so marked was the change, that Mr. George W. Anderson has said to me, that Stone's life did more for the case of religion in the community than anything else. From being a determined man, ready always to resent an insult with blows-for he did not know, as he has said to me, what the feeling of fear was-he was now of a meek and quiet spirit, and I have heard men curse and abuse him, and he never replied, but afterwards, have known him to go to these same men, and talk to and pray for them until they were completely ashamed of themselves. He was a man of unyielding will and purpose, and to know a thing was right, was to do it without counting the cost. He had the confidence and esteem of everybody, in and out of the church. When he joined the church the principal members were Father Wright, grand- father of Rev. Alexander Wright, of the South Georgia
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Conference, Nathaniel Lewis, Mr. Ballow, the mother of Sister Stewart, still living, and ripe for Heaven, and soon after, Mrs. Anciaux, mother-in-law of Judge J. M. Berrien, then a young lawyer, and soon after ris- ing to distinction. This lady and Mr. Stone soon be- came strong friends, and continued so during her life. He was her agent, and trustee of a legacy of a fund given to the General Conference.
Bro. Stone soon accumulated wealth, and no man gave more liberally to the church and poor than he. Indeed, as Bro. Evans remarked the other day, Frank Stone was the backbone of the Methodists in Savannah, ever since I have known them to a few years before the war. The infirmities of age and disease came upon him, and he turned over to a great degree his charge to his younger brethren. But his counsel was always sought and heeded. He was a rare man, loved the Church, and lived for God. He died, I think, in 1863, full of hope of a brighter and better world.
Under the ministry of Dr. Capers, two young English- men, William and James Quantock, were converted and joined the church. They were remarkable for their piety, and all bore testimony that they illustrated the gospel by a well-ordered walk and godly conversation. Several years after their conversion, they were licensed as local preachers, in which capacity they lived and died, good and useful men.
:. The first local preacher I have any knowledge of was Saml. J. Bryant ; he I think, moved to Savannah from Scriven County, a man of more than ordinary intellect and culture, a strong preacher, and useful man. Ile unfortunately commenced merchandizing, failed in bnsi- ness, making many enemies, causing uncharitable re-
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marks, and destroying his usefulness. He was the first missionary (voluntarily), under the patronage of Elijah Sinclair, to the negroes on Savannah Back River, the first man who compiled a catechismn for colored children, and Hymn Book. He removed to Oxford, was made agent for the college, afterwards removed to Apalachi- cola, Fla., where he died.
Bro. John Remshart was converted during the revi- val under John Howard, and licensed some time after as a local preacher. He was the first missionary to the colored people, on the Ogeechee River, a faithful, good man, doing much good amongst those people. He was a useful man in the church, and no one labored harder to promote her interests than he and his pious wife. They still live in the county, well stricken in years, ripe for the kingdom.
Bro. John B. Davies, the father of Louis and Bartow Davies, of our conference, was also converted at the great revival under Howard, and licensed as a local preacher. He was a finely educated man, a son of Judge Davies of the Superior Court, a graduate of Franklin University, a man of superior mind and ex quisite taste, a very superior preacher, and led a blame- less, holy life. But he was so timid, having so little confidence in his ability to preach, that he failed to accomplish as much as he might. The people always heard him gladly, and were always instructed under his ministry. He was a noble man, a saint of God, and has long since gone to his reward on high. These were all the local preachers, until I located in 1841.
Referring again to laymen under the ministry of Bro. Pope, Bro. William Moore was converted, and joined the church. IIe was a finely educated Christian gen-
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tleman, a zealous, laborious Methodist, raised an Epis- copalian, of one of the old aristocratic families of the city; he met with much opposition to his being a Metho- dist, but he disregarded all of it, and held on the even tenor of his way, doing much for the church by his means, his wise councils, and zealous labors, as trustee, steward and class-leader. He was faithful in all, lived a godly life, and a few years since was called to his reward on high. A good man always in the spirit, and full of faith, he died in great peace.
Of the ladies, I might say mnuch, but this history has already grown too long. Sister Davies, the wife of Rev. J. B. Davies, and mother of our beloved brethren, L. J. and Bartow Davies, I think was the holiest woman I have ever known. I always entered her presence with a reverence and respect inspired by no other person I have ever seen. She professed and lived the blessing of sanctification as taught by Wesley. No wonder out of four sons three are valuable and useful ministers, and of several daughters, some have died in the faith and the survivors are in the Church and on their way to Heaven. Doubtless there will be an unbroken family, in that day when God shall summon his chosen ones to his eternal kingdom.
Mrs. Benj. Sinclair, Sarah Mills, old Sister Rise, a cotemporary with Stone, Sisters Quantocks, Sister Stew- art, and a host of others, some dead and others still liv- ing ready for the summons ; Sisters Haupt, Sanssy, Remshart-what a host comes up to memory of forty years' acquaintance ? We will meet again.
I forgot to speak of Dr. Saussy. He was a good man and useful. I parted with him the night he sickened, near the Catholic Church about 12 o'clock at night,
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having left Crumley's sick-room to get some sleep, for we had been up for several nights. He took a chill on his way home, and in three days was dead, He lived right and died triumphantly. May his children follow him as he followed Christ. His wife still survives, but waiting patiently and hopefully the calling of the Master.
I believe I have said all that is necessary. You can use it as you think best. David Deas the colored man referred to was only a private member of the Church. William Bently was a preacher of great power and elo- quence ; sometimes he was equal to any man I have ever heard in the pulpit, and gifted in prayer. He was known all over the State as a good man and able preacher. He, like Deas, refused to go to the African Church, and, instigated as it was supposed by some of the colored people, the Federal soldiers horribly hung and beat him, until he sunk under it, and soon after died, in bright anticipation of eternal life. He was a good man and true to the Church of his choice. Yours truly,
JAS. E. GODFREY.
Athens, now a flourishing young city on the upper waters of the Oconee, was first located as the place chosen for the new State institution which was to be called Franklin College. It was laid out in 1803. Hope Hull had been one of the most ardent friends of the college, and had removed to the neighborhood of Athens to secure the advantages which it afforded for the edu- cation of his sons. He was living a short distance from the village, and had built a church known as Hull's meeting-house, near his own home. This was a week- day appointment in the Apalachee Circuit. The preach-
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ing in Athens was all done in the college chapel, and he had a Sunday appointment there. The society was at Hull's meeting-house, so that Hope Hull was the only Methodist preacher who had a regular appointment in Athens. There was no attempt to organize a society in it, and those who were Methodists held their member- ship at Hull's meeting-house. After the death of the old veteran in 1817, the appointment at the meeting- house was given up. The people of Athens were sup- plied with preaching by the professors in the college, and the one place of worship was the college-chapel. In 1825 the few Methodists of the village resolved to have a church and had erected a plain wooden struc- ture. This was the first house of worship of any name built in Athens. Athens was now a sprightly village noted for the culture and refinement of its people. It was remote from the seaboard, and the back-country upon which it relied for its trade was thinly settled and not fertile. The Indian frontier was only fifteen miles away, and so it did not grow rapidly but still was mod- erately prosperous.
The Rev. Thomas Stanley, of whom we have spoken, who was a preacher of ability, was rector of the Female Academy, and when the church was finished was placed in charge of it. The two sons of Hope Hull, Asbury and Henry, had their homes in the village, the one a physician, the other a lawyer. Gen. David Merri- wether, one of the first Methodists in Georgia, with his family, resided there. These were the strong friends and supporters of the struggling church. The confer- ence at its next session united Athens with Greensboro, so as to provide for the citizens of the town service by a pastor two Sabbaths in the month, and sent Lovick
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Pierce in charge, the other two Sabbaths being supplied by the local preachers. The results of this increased attention to the religious interests of the people was seen in a gracious revival. Thecitizens and the students of the college alike participated in the blessings of it. Thomas Samford was now presiding elder, and he was a man of mighty eloquence and of untiring zeal. Thomas Stanley was an old preacher of great ability. And now came Stephen Olin, who had been elected professor in the college, and who identified himself at once with the church. Olin has had few peers, and we think no superior, in the American pulpit, and though his health was frail and he could not preach often, yet when he did preach, it was with wonderful power. The remem- brance of his sermons is still a rare treasure to the few who remain who heard him. Having passed himself through a fearful conflict with skepticism, and having come forth a victor, he was especially able and earnest in combatting it. He preached one afternoon on the Evidence of Prophecy, and held his audience entranced for two hours and a half. At another time he summed up with great fairness and mighty power all the objec- tions of the infidel, and then after he had made the timid tremble, answered his own objections with over- whelming eloquence. Lovick Pierce was then in his . prime, and was the delight of every congregation, and Thomas Samford was a great man. Under the joint ministrations of Samford, Stanley, Pierce, and Olin, a gracious revival began which swept on with great power. The revival began in the college among the students, and resulted from a prayer-meeting instituted by one of them, a young Baptist preacher. About the time when the religious interest was beginning to manifest itself, the 20*
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Rev. Joseph C. Stiles, of the Presbyterian Church, then in the vigor of his youth and the zenith of his fame, came to Athens. He was remarkable as an evangelist, and he did much to increase the religious feeling. A meeting now began in the Methodist Church, and a mighty tide of revival influence swept over the worship- pers. Manv were converted. Among the students converted at this meeting was Geo. Foster Pierce, the oldest son of Dr. Lovick Pierce.
He was a boy of sixteen years old. He had been an earnest penitent for some weeks. One night his mother was present, having come to Athens with her husband. George was among the penitent again ; his father went to him and simply said : "My boy, you must trust your Saviour." He looked calmly up, and said : " And I do, pa." With a joyous heart the Doctor took him by the hand and led him to his mother. That over-joyed, saintly woman rejoiced aloud, and the multitude joined in her joy. The good work went on with power. Dr. Pierce remained two years, and then James O. Andrew was sent to the same charge. It was all the more plea- sant to him since it gave him an opportunity to see liis venerable father, who was still living. With the Hulls and Meriwethers the Bishop was also connected by fam- ily ties, and the sons of Hope Hull, his spiritual father, were now prominent and useful members of the Society. . Madison, the next year, was joined with Athens, and Andrew was again sent to the appointment. Alas that these days should be so barren of incident-have little to tell, save what is told by the minute figures! The Church grew, but was evidently not strong, since 187 was the total membership in the two villages.
The next year Win. J. Parks was sent upon the Athens
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District, and Lovick Pierce was sent to Athens and Madison. Uncle Billy Parks was a great favorite at Athens during all his life. His home was only thirty miles from the village, and many of its people had known him from his boyhood. No two men could have contrasted more strikingly than the presiding elder and the preacher in charge. Wm. J. Parks was plainness incarnated. His dress was plain, his manners plain, his speech was plain. Polish he neither valued nor sought. A block of granite cannot take the polish of a slab of marble, and Parks was granite all over. Lovick Pierce, on the other hand, was a man of finest polish. He was almost fastidious in dress, scrupulously polite, and ele- gant in manner, and a man of wide and careful reading. Yet the pithy sentences, the homely illustrations, the genuine force of the young elder made him a favorite like to the gifted pastor. They could not come into competition for they were moving on different lines, not crossing each other, but converging at the focal point of doing good to all men. The hardy backwoodsman, whose life had been one of toil, though near twenty years the junior of his frail colleague who had preceded him so long in the work, passed to his reward before him. Dur- ing the year there was increase; but because we can- not separate the villages, we are unable to tell where that increase was. The next year Dr. Pierce returned, and the next came Benjamin Pope. He was on his native heath, but this prophet had honor among his own friends and kindred. We have already spoken so freely and fully of him that we need not here reproduce what we have said. It is probable that Pope lived in Athens. If so, he was the first resident pastor there. The next year Lovick Pierce came again. There was much about
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Athens attractive to him, and he was attractive to every place. Athens had been in his circuit the second year of his ministry. It had been in his district when he was a young presiding elder. He had been in charge of it the first year it was set off as a station in connection with another village, and now he is the first preacher who has charge of it alone. He reported at the next conference 107 white and seventy colored members. At this conference we have the first report from the collec- tions, and Athens and Madison send up $9.41, which was the first public collection reported from the two towns. Four years after Athens alone sent up $119.00 to the same collection. Wm. Arnold was presiding elder the year following, with W. R. K. Mosely as preacher in charge, and the one succeeding.
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