USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 2
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1. In June, 1822, messengers from the Georgia and Ocmulgee met and agreed on a constitution, in which the body was styled " The General Association," and to be composed of delegates from such associations as chose to unite.
ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION.
1. This body is constituted upon those principles of christian faith exhibited in scripture, generally acknowledged and re- ceived in the Baptist denomination.
2. The constituents of this body are the Baptist associations in the State of Georgia, or as many of them as may think
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Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia.
proper to accede to the terms of this Convention ; and also two delegates from such auxiliary societies as contribute annually to our funds, whose constitutions may be approved.
3. It shall be known and distinguished by the name of " The Baptist Convention for the State of Georgia," and shall form the organ of general communication for the denomination through- out the State.
4. Each association may send not less than five, and not more than eight delegates, to represent them in this body ; and all delegates shall hold their appointments until others are elected to succeed them.
5. The officers of this union shall be a moderator, a clerk and assistant clerk, and a treasurer, who shall be appointed by ballot at each annual meeting, and shall form a committee of the body during the recess of the meeting; but this committee may be increased as occasion may require ; and have authority to fill any vacancies which may happen, and also that of the treasurer.
6. The moderator shall perform the same duties that devolve on moderators in the several associations, and in addition to this, shall be authorized to call meetings of the committee in the interval of annual meetings, should he deem it expedient.
7. The clerk shall enter in a book, all the trasactions of this body. The assistant clerk shall take charge of all distant com- munications, to or from this body, and shall write all the letters which it may require.
8. The treasure shall take charge of all the moneys, speci- alties, and property of all kinds, belonging to the body-give sufficient security for the amount in his hands-report the state of the funds from time to time, as the Convention may direct- and hand over to his successor in office all its moneys, prop- erty, etc.
9. Questions of difficulty may be referred from any of the in- dividual associations, to the deliberation and advice of this body.
10. The acts and proceedings of this body shall be submitted, from time to time, to its constituents for inspection ; and none of its decisions shall be binding on the associations or auxili- aries.
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11. The following are the specific objects of this body, viz : 1. To unite the influence and pious intelligence of Georgia Bap- tists, and thereby to facilitate their union and co-operation. 2. To form and encourage plans for the revival of experimental and practical religion in the State and elsewhere. 3. To aid in giving effect to the useful plans of the several associations. 4. To afford an opportunity to those who may conscientiously think it their duty to form a fund for the education of pious young men, who may be called by the Spirit and their churches to the christian ministry. 5. To correspond with bodies of other religious denominations, on topics of general interest to the Redeemer's kingdom, and to promote pious and useful ed- ucation in the Baptist denomination.
12. It shall have power to form rules, make arrangements, and appoint committees for the accomplishment of any and all the above projects : Provided, none of these rules and arrange- ments shall be inconsistent with the scriptures and the known principles of the associations.
13. Two-thirds of the whole number of delegates shall form a quorum, and a majority shall decide a question.
14. When its funds will justify it, this body may send dele- gates to the General Convention of our denomination in the United States.
15. The above constitution shall be liable to amendment or alteration, by two-thirds of the delegates present : Provided, the change may have been proposed by a member of the con- vention at the preceding meeting.
2. In 1823 the session was again in Powelton. The Sarepta sent corresponding messengers. Several subjects of importance engaged the attention of the body : practical religion, weekly meetings, Sabbath schools, observance of the Sabbath, etc. Rev. W. T. Brantly, Sr., and A. Sherwood preached on the Sabbath.
3. The meeting for 1824 was at Eatonton, in April. The Sunbury Association, having approved the constitution, became a member of the Union. Letters from distinguished brethren in various parts of the United States, in answer to the corres- pondence of the clerk, touching a uniform system of doctrine
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and discipline, were read. All the associations in the State were invited to take up the subject; but the scheme was abandoned, after an ineffectual effort.
4. The session of 1825 was also at Eatonton. The Yellow River Association, having been formed the preceding year, appointed five corresponding messengers, of whom only Rev. Joel Colley attended. Rev. Jesse Mercer read an exposition of the twelfth chapter of Revelation, and an essay on the perma- nent officers in a church, was read by Rev. Henry J. Ripley, now professor in Newton Theolgical Institution. The disserta- tion read last year by Rev. A. Sherwood, and his introductory - sermon of this session, with Mr. Mercer's exposition, were or- dered to be printed. The agents had brought in $67, and after Mr. Mercer's mission sermon on the Sabbath, $218 were collected. Rev. William B. Johnson of South Carolina was present and preached at this session. John M. Gray was ap- pointed general agent.
5. Augusta entertained the body in 1826. By an amendment of the constitution, auxiliary societies were allowed to send delegates. The Hephzibah auxiliary sent J. Key and J. H. T. Kilpatrick. The Georgia and Ocmulgee Associations trans- ferred their funds to this body, that it might conduct the busi- ness of missions, etc., amounting to $857,07} from the former, and $107 from the latter. "Rules for interpreting scripture," and an "Essay on a call to the ministry," by W. T. Brantly and I. L. Brookes, were read and ordered to be printed in the Columbian Star. J. Toole, and indigent young minister, who had been studying under Mr. Brantly in Augusta, was adopted by the Convention, and money appropriated for his support. He afterwards prosecuted his studies with Rev. James Shannon, who succeeded to the pastoral care of the Augusta church upon the removal of Rev. Dr. Brantly to Philadelphia.
6. The sixth session was at Washinton, in April, 1827. The Flint River auxiliary was admitted as a constituent: John Reeves and Benjamin Willson, messengers. Fifty dollars were appropriated for theological works for indigent ministers, and J. Toole and Thomas Walsh (lately a Methodist) were benefi- ciaries.
7. In May, 1828, the body convened at Monticello. New aux-
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iliary societies were represented-the Sarepta by Jeremiah Reeves and Thomas Walsh, and the Yellow River by B. H. Willson and J. Travis. The name of the body was changed to " Convention." An essay on the talents mentioned by Mat- thew, was read by Rev. Mr. Kilpatrick, and ordered to be printed in the Star. The Eatonton church proposed to furnish instruction by its pastor, Rev. A. Sherwood, to all young minis- ters who desired to improve their minds, and also board-pro- vided the Convention would supply as much as the church's pres- ent contribution. One young brother was examined and sent to Eatonton, and the next year two others were sent to the same place. "Rules to regulate the reception of beneficiaries" were adopted at this session.
8. The eighth anniversary was held at Milledgeville, in March, 1829. Rev. B. M. Sanders' exposition of Matthew, eleventh chapter and twelfth verse, was read and directed to be printed, and Rev. Mr. Mercer's "prerequisites to ordination," to be pub- lished in the minutes. Mr. JOSIAH PENFIELD (late of Savannah) had bequeathed to the Convention $2,500 as the basis of a per- manent fund for the purposes of theological education, to be paid on condition that a like sum should be raised by the body for the same object. Our people had not been accustomed to pay large sums, and it was considered a happy circumstance that notes were promptly given by responsible persons to the amount of $2,500, the sum required to be made up. This may be considered an epoch in our history in Georgia, for an impulse was then given to the cause of ministerial improvement, which has already resulted in incalculable good, and which it is be- lieved will be felt for ages yet to come. Already has this small beginning been augmented to near $200,000. In Savannah, where he lived, and labored, and died, the name of PENFIELD will be long held in sacred remembrance; and among the Bap- tists of this State he will ever be regarded as a benefactor of God's people.
Pike county auxiliary society was received at this session.
9. The Convention in 1830 was held at Bethesda church, Greene, county. New auxiliaries joined-McDonough and Rocky creek, in Laurens. The labors of several missionaries, employed a portion of the previous year, amounted to more
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than two years' service of one man. Many valuable theologi- cal works had been distributed among our indigent ministers, whose libraries had been thereby greatly improved. From year to year there was a slow, but perceptible and profitable, improvement in our ministry. Several essays and sermons, all bearing on this important subject, were ordered to be printed for gratuitous circulation. Thus that mighty engine, the press, was doing its work to aid in rousing the energies of our people in favor of this object. And all this was necessary : for during several preceding years, the Convention was compelled to bear up against most formidable opposition, in the objections of many influential ministers and laymen. Dissatisfaction and disaffec- tion were increasing and spreading to the remotest parts of the State; and were shown more violently by some who had for- merly been its professed friends, than by any others. This oppo- sition was fast tending to a crisis.
10. Buck-head church in Burke county received and enter- tained the body in 1831. Several new auxiliaries joined: La- grange, Jasper and Putnam county societies. The following important resolution was passed with great unanimity, viz: " Resolved, that as soon as the funds will justify it, this conven- tion will establish, in some central part of the State a classical and theological school," to be connected with manual labor, and those preparing for the ministry only to be admitted. This resolution was not suffered to die without being carried into effect-for though a site was not purchased until the following year, yet it was only because the committee to whom this mat- ter was confided could not find an eligible location. Rev. A. Sherwood, with his characteristic decision and energy, agreed to raise by subscription $1,500 for the purchase of lands, etc. This engagement was faithfully fulfilled and the amount raised.
While education, particularly the education of the ministry, was thus engaging much of the attention of the Baptists in this State, the cause of missions was by no means overlooked. On the contrary, the streams of benevolence in this respect were widening and deepening every year, and these were pour- ing forth the blessings of the gospel to the remotest parts of the earth.
It was announced that the Ocmulgee Association had with-
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drawn from the Convention; also, that the Convention had been incorporated by the Legislature.
11. Powelton, Hancock county, was the seat of the session in 1832. Auxiliary societies were admitted from Morgan and Gwinnett counties, and from the Chattahoochee and Tugalo Associations. Brethren Campbell, Lumpkin and Kilpatrick preached on the Sabbath. Mr. Lumpkin's sermon, on minis- terial education, was ordered to be printed. Beneficiarios were reported as being under instruction at Athens, Crawfordville, Gainsville, Ruckersville, and under Rev. Mr. Sherwood near Eatonton-eight in all. This was a season of mourning and distress on account of the recent death of Rev. Jabez P. Mar- shall. The plan of a manual labor school, to be called " Mer- cer Institute," was adopted, and the site, (now called Penfield, in honor of the late Josiah Penfield of Savannah, Georgia,) seven miles north of Greensboro' in Greene county, was selected.
12. The session for 1833 was at McDonough in Henry county. The attendance was very numerous, and the deepest interest manifested by all in the proceedings of the Convention. Rev. A. Sherwood's introductory discourse was ordered to be printed, as also, Mr. Mercer's dissertation on " Resemblances and differ- ences between associational and church authority." While strong opposition had shown itself in various parts of the State, still it was evident that the body was rapidly growing in pub- lic confidence and favor. At the close of the session, Mr. Sherwood, who had served as clerk for ten years, resigned.
13. In 1834, the body met at Indian creek church, Morgan county. New auxiliaries were received from Athens, and Tal- bot, and Walton counties. Jesse Mercer, N. W. Hodges of S. C., and James Shannon, preached on the Sabbath. Mr. Mer- cer's discourse on ministerial education was ordered to be prin- ted. Recommended the organization of a Baptist Sunday- school Union for the State. The Manual Labor School at Pen- field was reported to be in a prosperous condition, having about eighty pupils-five of whom were looking forward to the gospel ministry. A gracious revival had been experienced during the year, when some thirty of the pupils were baptized. The "Mercer Institute," from its commencement, had been under Rev. Billington M. Sanders as principal, than whom a
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more laborious and indefatigable instructor perhaps never lived. He continued in this position seven years.
14. The session of 1835 was at Shiloh church, Greene county. Introductory sermon by Rev. J. H. Campbell. The Georgia Association was the only association belonging to the Convention. It was made up mostly of auxiliary societies in different parts of the State. This session the Central Association joined, being represented by Thomas Cooper, James Evans, John E. Dawson, Jesse Travis, Lot Hearn, J. H. Campbell and William Hearn. The following auxiliary societies also joined : Twiggs county, Putnam county, Mercer University, Newton county, Mountain creek, in Harris county, Island Ford, in Gwinnett county. Letters were received from the southwestern part of the State, "entreating that brother Everett be continued as a missionary in that section of the country." Agreed to en- deavor to raise $3,000 during next year for foreign missions. Resolutions were adopted in favor of the religious instruc- tion of our colored population. A package of tracts in Bur- mese was received from brother Simons, our missionary in Burmah. Agreed that the constitution as amended, be printed in connection with the minutes.
15. The fifteenth meeting was at Talbotton in 1836. New auxiliaries : Sarepta, Meriwether, Upson, Bibb, Coweta and Heard county, and Piney Grove Society. A plan for a Southern Baptist college was presented in a report, and the names of fifty persons, from among whom trustees should be selected by the executive committee of the Convention. During the pre- ceding year the body had pledged itself to endeavor to raise $3,000 for foreign missions. But it was ascertained at this ses- sion that she had more than redeemed her pledge-$5,712 17 having been sent up for this object alone. It was resolved to attempt to raise $10,000 next year, but owing to the reverse in the pecuniary affairs of the country, this attempt was a failure in part.
It may be proper to state that the "Southern Baptist Col- lege " was suggested at Washington, Wilkes county, in the spring of 1835, and some $10,000 subscribed in that county alone for the object. By this time over $35,000 had been sub- scribed, and the Central Association had resolved to raise $20,-
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000 for the endowment of a theological professorship, etc. In the fall of 1836, a charter was obtained and the trustees ap- pointed. These trustees met at Athens, in August, 1837, and though about $100,000 had been subscribed, strong objections were made to Washington as the site. The project was aban- doned with reference to that place, and the executive committee were requested to endeavor to carry out the main design, if practicable, at some other place. The Central Association soon held a session at Madison, and recommended the raising up of " Mercer Institute " into a college. The agents then went to work with the subscribers, to prevail upon them to change the direction of their subscriptions in favor of Penfield. In this they were generally successful. In December, 1837, the powers of the executive committee of the Convention were so enlarged by the Legislature that they could establish a college and confer degrees. In May, 1838, the Convention chose new trustees and appointed the first meeting of that board to be on the 10th of July ensuing. "MERCER UNIVERSITY" was the name given to the institution, in honor of Rev. Jesse Mercer.
16. The anniversary for 1837 was held at Ruckersville, in Elbert county. The Hephzibah, Appalachee and Mountain As- sociations became component members, and new auxiliary so- cieties (Bethel and Monroe counties) were received. The in- terest of this session was greatly enhanced by the ordination of Edward A. Stevens, of the Sunbury church, as a missionary to the East. He had but recently finished his theological course at Newton, Mass., and been accepted by the Board of Foreign Missions, and was the first native Georgian who had been des- tined to labor among the heathen of the Eastern world. The amount for foreign missions received during the year was $6,215 20. Funds in the hands of treasurer for education of min- isters, building, etc., $21,562 60, besides lands and improve- ments at Penfield and subscriptions for " Mercer University."
17. The 17th session was held at Monroe, Walton county, in 1838. Washington Mission Society was received. The college charter was approved and appended to the minutes. Messeu- gers were in attendance from South Carolina Baptist Conven- tion. A catechism for Sabbath-schools, prepared by teachers of the Sunday-schools in Augusta, Ga., was favorably noticed.
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Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia.
The following notice was taken of the American and Foreign Bible Society :
The committee appointed to report a resolution with respect to the American and Foreign Bible Society have had the sub- ject under consideration, and feel deeply impressed with the idea of the importance of the institution. An effort to give the Bible, faithfully translated, to the world, is no common under- taking, and should, in the view of the committee, draw forth the best feelings and engage the most cordial co-operation of all christians. Therefore,
Resolved, That we have entire confidence in the board of managers of this society ; that we approve its objects, and that we request our brethren generally, so far as they have oppor- tunity, to contribute to its funds.
Amount received for foreign missions and kindred objects, $5,334 83}.
18. In 1839 the body convened at Richland, Twiggs county. New constituents : Columbus and Rehoboth Associations. At the request of " Cave Spring Manual Labor School," in Floyd county, a committee was appointed to confer with the trustees on the interests of said school. The Mercer University was reported to be in successful operation, with ninety-five students in the two departments. Upwards of $5,000 were sent up to the session for the various objects of the Convention, and the whole amount in the hands of the treasurer, about $28,000. Sixty-one delegates, from various associations and societies, composed the body, with a congregation of between three and four thousand in attendance.
19. Rev. Asa Chandler delivered the introductory discourse to the nineteenth anniversary, at Penfield, May 1st, 1840. Jesse Mercer was re-elected moderator, J. E. Dawson clerk, and C. D. Mallary assistant clerk. THE CHRISTIAN INDEX, (with printing press, dues, etc.,) was received as a donation from Rev. Jesse Mercer. After considerable discussion, the offer was ac- cepted "without a dissenting voice." and resolutions adopted expressive of the gratitude of the Convention to the reverend donor for his generosity. The printing office and house was worth some $2,000-some $3,000 due the concern-about $1,000, money advanced for the office, he discounted in favor of the
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Convention-and furnished the office with a new font of type worth $500. The usual objects claiming the attention of the body are gaining ground in the estimation and charity of the denomination.
20. The delegates who formed the session of 1841 met at Thomaston, Upson county. Introductory by Rev. Albert Wil- liams, Rev. B. M. Sanders, moderator, in place of Jesse Mercer, who had been called to his home on high during the previous year. In his death, the Baptists have sustained perhaps the greatest loss they had ever experienced in the State. Dr. Curtis, an Englishman, pastor of the church in Macon, delivered the ser- mon on education, on Sabbath-a rare production. No business of extraordinary interest transacted.
21. The session at LaGrange, Troup county, in 1842, was very numerously attended, Rev. J. H. Campbell introduced the meeting by a sermon from 2 Cor., v. 14: " For the love of Christ constraineth us." The Flint river and Western Associa- tions were received as constituent members. The trustees of Mercer University held a session during the recess. Some dif- ferences which had existed among them were adjusted, and peace once more reigned. B. M. Sanders was moderator, W. H. Stokes clerk, V. R. Thornton assistant clerk. The interests of "Hearn Manual Labor School " excited much attention. J. H. Campbell proposed a plan for its relief, which was finally suc- cessful. The management of the female school at Penfield ex- cited some unpleasant discussion in this meeting.
22. The Convention was at Madison in 1843. Introductory by S. G. Hillyer. B. M. Sanders president, W. H. Stokes sec- retary, and V. R. Thornton assistant secretary. The body was composed of delegates from thirteen associations and three auxiliary societies. The Bethel Association joined here. Isaac McCoy, (missionary to the Indians,) J. S. C. F. Frey, the Jew, and Rev. William B. Johnson, were in attendance; also, J. G. Binney, late pastor of Savannah church, and now under ap- pointment as a missionary to Burmah. Eight domestic mis- sionaries have been sustained more or less of their time, and the same number of beneficiaries are under instruction in Mercer University. The Convention became auxiliary to the American Indian Mission Association, (much interest having been excited
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therein by Rev. I. McCoy, their agent, ) and appointed H. Posey and E. Dyer to attend as messengers. In the adjournment, the parting hand was given to brother Binney and his wife, whose faces were expected to be seen no more by the members of this body-a most touching scene !
23. The twenty-third anniversary was at Cave Spring, in Floyd county, in 1844. Owing to the remoteness of the situa- tion, the attendance was not as numerous as usual, yet it was quite respectable. B. M. Sanders moderator, Thomas Stocks clerk. Besides the ordinary transactions, (which show the body in a prosperous condition, ) arrangements were made to take possession of " Hearn Manual Labor School," voluntarily offered to this body by its board of trustees. A most valuable situation for a school is thus secured to the denomination, be- lieved to be worth twenty or twenty-five thousand dollars. " Hitherto the Lord hath helped us !"
ROUGH ESTIMATE OF DOMESTIC MISSIONARY LABOR, ETC., PERFORM- ED BY THOSE EMPLOYED BY THE CONVENTION.
The missionaries have performed about eighteen years' labor in destitute parts of the State, i. e., their services have amounted to the labors of one man for that time. This is a very low es- timate-probably twenty-three or twenty-four years would be nearer the truth. They established the first churches in the bounds of the Western Association, in Troup and contiguous counties, out of which that body was formed in November, 1829. The principal missionaries in that region were James Reeves and John Wood. In Cherokee country, too, the first churches were gathered by brethren in the employ of the Convention, of whom Jeremiah Reeves, Phillips and Pearson were prominent. Several of those in Randolph, Lee, etc., in the Bethel Associa- tion, were gathered by the labors of Travis Everett, another missionary.
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