USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 21
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It was not long before our brother attracted the attention of the churches, and was called into their service. The first church he was engaged with, was situated on Briar creek, in Burke county, at Botsford's old meeting-house.
This church was constituted before the revolutionary war, under the ministry of that venerable man of God, Rev. Ed- mund Botsford, after whom it is called to this day. During the war it had dwindled almost to extinction; but after his connection with it, the work of the Lord prospered under his labors. And in one year he had the unspeakable joy to lead seventy hopefully redeemed sinners into the yielding stream, and bury them in baptism with Christ, in hope of a glorious » resurrection with him into enternal life. The work spread and two other churches were constituted, and the foundation of another was laid, which afterwards was built up. The two constituted were at Buckhead and Mobley's pond. In the for- mer he baptized about fifty ; and many others in the latter, as
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well as at Rocky creek, a branch of one of the churches. But falling sick, and remaining with his family in a declined state of health, he deemed it expedient to leave the low country. He moved to Wilkes county, and settled on a farm on Clark's creek, which was his unchanged residence till death. Here he soon became a member, and the pastor of the church at Clark's station.
He undertook the pastoral care of this church about the year 1789, and continued it about fifteen years. During this period he enjoyed much satisfaction. He had the esteem and confi- dence of church and people; and labored much night and day for their good. His zeal and fervent mind for the prosperity of the church and for the salvation of his congregation are embalmed with his devout prayers and many tears, in the ten- derest recollections of his numerous and affectionate surviving friends. But the season was barren-a wide spreading reli- gious dearth afflicted the State in many sections, and few churches suffered more than that at Clark's station. From the records of the Association it appears, very few were added to this church by baptism during his connection with it. At length a contention took place in the church, which disposed him to resign his office, and to unite himself with his sister church at Fishing creek.
Of this church also, he became the pastor a few years before his death. In this relation he continued as the pastor in much affection, till age and disease made it necessary to retire from the office. But he continued a member in much christian love and esteem with all the brethren till his death. The church was in a very declined state when he joined it, and received but few additions, (chiefly of blacks.) Of late, however, a happy revival has taken place, and within two years nearly a hundred members have been added. It is now in a good state of resuscitation and joyful increase.
He was called to the pastoral supply of several other churches, according to the custom in this part of the country, of having only one church meeting in a month. In this relation he was engaged with the church in Elbert county, at Hebron.
He had been instrumental in gathering and constituting this church in the early part of his evangelical ministry, but when
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he moved down the country, Jeremiah Walker, from Virginia, became their pastor. He had been the subject of most shame- ful apostacy, and professing restoratión, he also professed a change of sentiment, and adopted certain unscriptural opinions. He was instrumental in drawing off a part of the members to his sentiments, and soon (for his powers of argumentation were great,) spread the defection into other churches, and succeeded, by the help of some other preachers, in effecting a division in the Association. This division among the Baptists (for at this time there was only one Baptist Association in Georgia,) filled the State with controversy. In those severe conflicts which tried men's souls, our beloved brother was much shaken. He was affectionately connected with several of the seceding party, and very much so with Mr. Walker, which circumstance con- tributed not a little to his indecision and want of firmness. But it pleased the Lord, as he believed, to save him from this unsoundness of mind, and more than ever to confirm his senti- ments respecting the sovereign and free grace of God. In ref- erence to this fact only a little before his death, he wrote to a friend thus : " My life is just gone-but had I a thousand lives and ten thousand tongues, I would willingly spend them all in the delightful work-in preaching the same doctrines, and in the same denomination. I say the same doctrine, for once the great Jeremiah Walker had well nigh led me to embrace the Arminian sentiments. Had it not been for my experience, the works of Providence and grace, more especially the character and goodness of God, I should have embraced those delusive errors." However, after his engagement with the regular part of this church, the death of Mr. Walker occurred, and his influ- ence died with him. Several of the disaffected members re- turned and sought union again with their deserted brethren, and better times ensued. He had the happiness of receiving sixty or seventy to baptism and the fellowship of the church in the term of his service with them, which was about twenty- five years. But the meeting-house being situated between Broad and Savannah rivers, and other churches being consti- tuted in more commodions places contiguous, and the number of members diminishing by deaths and removals, the church
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was regularly dissolved and the members united with the ad- joining churches.
Our brother was early in his ministry engaged with the church at Rocky Spring.
The church was situated in Wilkes (now Lincoln) county, near the Savannah river. Here he labored with good effect and much harmony and christian affection for thirty years. He enjoyed two precious revivals, and baptized many happy believers. His own is, " That in one of these gracious seasons I baptized near by one hundred," and it is a fair calculation that in the other, and at all times, he did not receive less than one hundred. But we have no data at hand which will pre- cisely show how many. The veneration and christian estima- tion in which he was held by church and people, fully appears in a letter and resolution he received from them on the occa- sion of his leaving.
He served the church also as a pastoral supply for twenty years or more at Newford.
This church lies in the northeast of Wilkes county, and here the labors of our brother were blessed with two precious revi- vals, in which he baptized more than a hundred, and saw the work of the Lord prosper in his hands. Here he labored until afflictions, a few years before his death, made it necessary to retire from all his pastoral services.
In the same capacity he also attended a church in South Carolina, at Buffalo. In this church he had not the happiness to enjoy much success. He continued his labors for five years, baptized a few only, and declined his attendance. He then gave his services to the church at Greenwood. Here he en- joyed a good degree of success. In the short time he was en- gaged with this church he baptized about fifty. But some young ministers being raised up, after two years he left the church to their care and retired.
In the course of his ministry, which continued upwards of forty years, he aided in the constitution of five churches and in the ordination of twenty-one ministers, and was the instru- ment of much usefulness. He died in a good old age of seventy- three years, highly esteemed for his work's sake. In his civil and social life he was innocent, honorable and generous. As a
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christian, he was devoted and persevering. As a minister, in prayer fervent, in exhortation warm, in doctrine clear-in all, ardent, zealous and indefatigable. He lived as he died, in the Lord. His views of himself were very humble ; he walked much in the vale of tears, and conversed much with his own heart. He often complained of his want of spiritual comforts to his confidential religious friends. Yet he was often on the mount enjoying the light of heaven and of God.
He was particularly anxious for the salvation of his children. He was zealous to " bring them up in the nurture and admoni- tion of the Lord." He poured out his prayers and strong cries to God for them ; yet he saw no lasting symptoms of perma- nent hope until they were all grown and chiefly settled in families. This gave him "great heaviness and continual sor- row in his heart." He made several unsuccessful efforts to have them all assembled together once before he died, that he might detail to them his own christian experience and ground of hope, and address to them, as it were, his dying admonition. This he effected, in connection with a meeting to be continued several days, held at the church near him, some time before his death. One evening they all repaired to his house together with several of his brethren in the ministry, and having called the attention of all, he stated his earnest desire for their salva- tion, and his reasons for wishing them all together and the de- sign of his address. He then rehearsed at length his religious experience and hope of salvation, and with much affection and earnestness exhorted them to flee from the wrath to come-to Jesus Christ the only Saviour. All -was solemn, impressive and interesting.
It pleased God, a little before his decease, to bring his son, named after himself, to the hope of the gospel, and to incline his mind to the ministry. His daughters soon after became hopeful believers, and, just before his death, another son made a declaration of his faith in Christ and transmitted an account of his experience to his father, but it was not received by the family until it was too late.
Our beloved brother was the subject of severe and protracted afflictions, which he bore with patience and fortitude. In ad- dition to many other infirmities he lost his hearing. This was
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truly an affliction to him, as it broke off almost altogether his social enjoyments and intercourse. But it was observed that though he could not hear himself speak, he preached with more ardor and clearness than before. About two years before his decease he was sick, in the view of all his friends and of him- self, unto death. He was happily sustained in his religious feelings. His beloved pastor, Rev. James Armstrong, visited him, to whom he said, "After my departure, I wish you, or my brother Jesse Mercer-if he returns home in time, (for he was in New York, attending the General Convention,)-to deliver a discourse to my friends and brethren, from II. Corinthians, v. 8." But it was the will of God to raise him up, and he after- wards enjoyed pretty good health, and traveled and preached considerably. His last tour was to attend the General Asso- ciation of Georgia, where he preached the closing sermon, under sensible indications, as was reported by them that heard him, that it was to be his last.
In his final sicknesss he languished for many days. His faith was fixed and his soul serene. When prayer was about to be made, he perceiving it, said, "Pray not for my recovery, for I wish to go." When almost past articulation, he said to his much beloved brother Mercer, in broken accents, "I believe I shall die of this disease.
"O, for some angel bands to bear My soul up to the skies, Where years of long salvation roll, And glory never dies."
His pain in some measure ceased for some time before his death, and he lay quite composed, waiting till his change should come, which occurred on the afternoon of June 5th, 1828. His remains were deposited in his own grave-yard, at his late resi- dence. A short time after, his funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Mercer, from the text of his choice, " Willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
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EDMUND BYNE.
This eminently pious and laborious servant of Christ was born and brought up to manhood in King and Queen county, Virginia. He was impressed with the reality and importance of divine things .by the following dream, while he was yet a child: It seemed as if the judgment day had come. He saw Christ, the judge, sitting on a dazzling throne. Men were called, one by one, before him, and received their eternal doom. When it came to his turn, he was compelled to approach the judge. A large book was opened, in which he was required to read; and, to his utter astonishment, he saw therein a cata- logue of all the sins he had ever committed. When he had read over the list, the judge looked upon him with a stern countenance, and demanded of him whether he was "guilty or not guilty ?" He was about to open his mouth to pass sen- tence upon himself, when his agitation caused him to awake. The seriousness which ensued gave his parents (who were mem- bers of the high church) great anxiety. They supposed their son, who was a promising youth, to be somewhat deranged. Accordingly, blisters were applied to his head, and he was treated otherwise as a lunatic.
After this, his convictions were deepened by a public discus- sion between one Iverson Lewis (an uncle of his) and an Epis- copal clergyman, on the subject of religion. Mr. Lewis was not then a professor, but afterwards became an eminent Bap- tist preacher in Virginia. He undertook to convince the cler- gyman and his members that they were all going to perdition together, and that, too, from the scriptures. His quotations were such as made solemn impressions on the mind of young Byne.
At what precise age he was converted, is not known. But he was a man of family when he was baptized, as will hereaf- ter appear. At the time he obtained a hope in the pardoning mercy of God, he had agreed to run a horse-race, on which a large amount of money was bet. Horse-racing and dancing were so common in Virginia in those days, it was almost im- possible to live and not be connected with them in some way. As soon as Mr. Byne felt the love of God in his heart, he went
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to his opponent in the race and tried to get off from his en- gagement to run. He was flatly told, if he did not run he should pay the bet. "Well," said Byne, "I'll run ; but, if I win, (which I am sure I shall do,) I'll give every dollar to some charitable object." An immense crowd was collected on the race-field. Mr. Byne won the race, as he expected. When he had received the purse, he called the attention of the crowd, informed them of his effort to get off from running the race, and of his intention to devote the contents of the purse to charitable purposes, and closed by exhorting them to turn to the Lord. "And now," said he, " I shall run no other race ex- cept one-that is, the race to heaven. Farewell !"
When the Baptists began to preach in Virginia, he went to hear them, much against the wishes of his relatives and friends. Having been taught by them the way of the Lord more per- fectly, he resolved to submit to the ordinance of baptism. When he went down into the water, his oldest son (then a youth, not fully grown,) rode into the stream, threatening to horsewhip the minister. To such indignities and insults did our fathers have to submit in those days! Not many years thereafter, this young man, who had married and settled some distance from his father, was himself brought to a saving · acquaint- ance with Christ. He and his father set out simultaneously to visit each other on the joyous occasion. They approached one another on the road-but the son was so absorbed in devo- tion, his eyes following heavenwards where his thoughts led, as not to discover his father until they met. "John, where are you going ?" "To heaven," was the immediate reply. The father and son rushed into each others arms, and a scene fol- lowed upon which God smiled, and over which angels rejoiced.
In 1785, Mr. Byne and several other families from Virginia landed in Savannah. They had a most boisterous and danger- ous passage out, having been at sea six weeks, most of the time driven with the tempests hither and thither. Having letters of introduction to the Governor of Georgia, they were kindly received, and had a house furnished them for temporary use by that excellent functionary. Mr. Byne soon found a home in Burke county, where he lived, and labored, and died.
He and his wife had not long been settled in their new abode,
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when news reached them of a glorious revival of religion, then prevailing in Virginia. Mr. Byne had commenced preaching before he came to Georgia ; and now his spirit was so stirred within him, that he and his wife went throughout the neigh- borhood, from house to house, exhorting the people and pray- ing with them. Religion was a hissing and a by-word in Burke county; but as these pious souls sent up their prayers, with strong cries and tears, the Lord avenged them speedily. Un- der his preaching, many souls were born into Zion. The Rocky creek church called Mr. Byne to ordination, which he had sev- eral times declined in his native State. Now, he felt it his duty to yield to the wishes of his brethren, and especially of those who had recently been converted under his ministry. Accord- ingly, he was ordained by David Tinsley and Loveless Savidge, and soon baptized some seventy or eighty persons.
Though of some eccentricity of character, he was neverthe- less a fearless and faithful servant of the Lord, as will appear from the following anecdotes. Not long after he joined the church, he was invited by some of his former companions in sin to attend a dancing party, which he engaged to do, on con- dition, expressly agreed to, that he should give direction to all the exercises of the evening. When the party assembled, Mr. Byne appeared in their midst, accompanied by several church members, who were good singers. The violin at length sent forth its enlivening notes, when a young lady stepped up to him, and invited the preacher to lead in the dance. He politely took her arm, stepped out on the floor, required the music to cease, and after reminding the managers of the condition upon which he agreed to attend, struck up a spiritual song. The church members immediately joined him. The song concluded, he engaged in prayer. Another song was followed by a second prayer. By this time tears were flowing from many eyes. The ball was converted into a prayer meeting. The people of the house, with others of the company, became pious, and this was the last dance ever attempted to be held there. After his removal to Georgia, he was in the habit of preaching at Waynes- boro, in Burke county. A certain Mr. Jones, who was un- friendly to religion, threatened that if Mr. Byne came again to Waynesboro to preach, he intended to give him a text that
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would puzzle him. Sure enough, the next time he rose before the people, Mr. Jones was there, and demanded of Mr. Byne to preach without meditation from the words, "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath that is to come !" So little did Mr. Jones know about the, Scriptures, that he understood the words according to their literal meaning. It was a good weapon for Mr. Byne, and it was said he used it to such effect that Mr. Jones declared he " never would give another Baptist preacher a cudgel with which to beat his own head."
When advanced in life, his infirmities were such as to render it necessary that he should resign all pastoral charges. He had been a most laborious and self-denying preacher. No state of weather, however inclement, could stop him from his ap- pointments. When the rain poured in torrents, he would put on his great-coat, wrap a blanket about his shoulders, and post off to his meetings. Though confined mostly to his house for several months preceding his death, yet a short time before his departure he insisted on being propped up with pillows in his carriage and conveyed to the regular meeting of the church of which he was a member. He was helped into the meeting- house, and, being bolstered up in front of the pulpit, he ad- dressed the congregation for the last time. He spoke as a dy- ing man indeed ! It was a solemn and affecting season. Sev- eral afterwards joined the church who dated their awakening from these last words of God's aged servant. He returned to his home to die, which solemn event took place in February, 1814.
DOZIER THORNTON.
The subject of this notice was also a Virginian. Lunenburg county was the place of his birth, which occurred April 14th, 1755. His father's name was Mark Thornton, and his mother's Susannah Dozier. The former was a High Churchman and the latter a Baptist. In youth he was fond of playing on the violin and other instruments. When he left the paternal roof, he en- gaged in the business of overseeing in the upper part of North Carolina, where he had opportunities of hearing the gospel From the lips of a Baptist minister of the name of Lunsford.
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The word was sanctified to his conviction, and after enduring great distress of mind for several weeks, he was enabled to em- brace Christ as his Saviour while following his plough in the field. He immediately ungeared his horse, went to the house of his employer, (a widow woman,) and told her and the family of the great things God had done for his soul. He then asked permission to talk to the servants, which being granted, he ex- horted them to forsake their sins and turn to God. Thus he began to preach Jesus before he joined the church. He was baptized by Elder Lunsford, and soon thereafter ordained by him and others.
He soon extended his labors far and wide, and preached in- cessantly. Several churches were raised up as the fruits of his early labors. After his marriage to a Miss Hill, he removed to Georgia and settled in Elbert county, about the year 1784.
The brethren in North Carolina whom he left so reluctantly, obtained a promise from him to visit them as often as possible. He accordingly made several tours back to the old North State in one of which he experienced a gracious revival in one of his m th bu he bi old churches and baptized a considerable number. During his journeys to and from North Carolina, many things occurred which are worthy of being recorded. A few of these only cal we introduce here. Stopping at a house one evening, wher he intended to pass the night, he saw some signs which le him to inquire of his host " If the family had been to meet abl side ing ?" "Yes." "To a Baptist meeting ?" "No, they are people that I hate ; I would not give house room to any @house them." "You must, then, turn me out of doors, for I am Baptist. But what objections have you to the Baptists ? " They are an ignorant people, and I will not come down s low as to talk to them." His horse was immediately brougl out, and our preacher left the inhospitable abode of his Episc, pal landlord. C
On another occasion, he met a female near one of his a pointments, whom he asked, " Have you heard of meeting such a place ?" " Yes." "Are you not going ?" " No, I carfhalf. go ; I have no shoes to wear." Having passed her a short defing to tance, it occurred to him that he had but one dollar ; yet, the scripture came to his mind, " He that giveth to the pofcounty.
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lendeth to the Lord," he turned around, and calling the woman, gave her that one dollar, telling her to buy herself shoes and go to meeting hereafter-then went on his way with a light heart. He was then three hundred miles from home, and not a cent in his pocket. Having reached his appointment and preached, however, his brethren (who knew nothing of his want of funds,) presented him with four dollars.
Late one evening he rode up to a house. The woman was engaged in milking cows. The first salutation was, "I say, good woman, are you a christian ?" "I hope so ?" Having obtained her husband's consent to pass the night with them, he alighted. Supper over, he asked the woman to give a reason for the hope she professed. She related a sound christian expe- rience, whereupon he inquired, " Why have you not been bap- tized ?" " It is what I have greatly desired, but there is no church within some forty miles of us, and I have as yet had no opportunity to obey the Saviour's command in this matter." "Are you willing for me to baptize you now ?" " Yes, by all means." A torch was soon prepared by her husband ; they three repaired to a creek some half a mile distant, where he buried this believing woman in baptism. The next morning he left with her a certificate of her baptism and proceeded on his tour.
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