USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 26
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"The Lord visited this church in a wonderful manner, bring- ing many to the knowledge of the truth. I now felt the word was a fire in my bones, and I entered into the work more fully and began to preach more extensively. I continued in this way for some time. At length I fell into such horror, darkness and despair as none but a pilgrim knows. In this state I re- mained two years. I had such views of my unworthiness as made me conclude never to preach again. But after enduring many gloomy feelings too tedious to mention, the weight of preaching again returned. I fasted and prayed, and prayed and fasted, to know the mind of God. As I was going to meet- ing one day in great distress, the inquiry was pressed upon my mind, 'Ought you not to preach the gospel to the people ?' I answered, 'Yes.' It then followed, 'If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.' The cross was so great I knew not how to take it up. But, in the strength of the Lord, I made an effort to preach that day, and found happiness in the work. Some time thereafter, while I was reading the scrip- tures, that word sounded in my heart, 'Woe is me if I preach
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not the gospel.' When I inquired of the Lord wherein the woe . consisted, I seemed to receive for answer, 'He that knoweth his master's will and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.' I now looked for heavy judgments from the Lord to fall upon me, for my disobedience. At length my case was mentioned to the church, which gave me liberty to preach.
" I spared no time or labor in endeavoring to improve my gift and education, so that I might be 'acceptable to God and approved of men.' The enemy being enraged turned loose a flood against me on every side. Yet the Lord stood by me, and did not suffer any of these things to move me, but blessed my feeble labors to many. I preached eight years before I was ordained. I continued an itinerant four years longer, when duty called me to take charge of a church fifty miles from me. This occurred in June, 1803. In September following, we con- stituted a church of thirteen members, about sixty-five miles from me. I took the care of that also, and in February, 1804, I removed and settled near to it. In 1806, our number had in- creased to sixty-three, thirty of whom were constituted into another church. I then had the charge of four churches, one of which was in South Carolina, about forty miles from me. My time was now entirely given to the work of the Lord. I spent a number of years in traveling and preaching, and I trust the Lord blessed by ministry to the salvation of hundreds. I rode from three to four thousand miles a year."
The foregoing was written by himself some thirty years be- fore his death. It is regarded as an interesting relic of a good man, especially when it is remembered that he was, in the strict- est sense, a self-taught man, having never enjoyed a day's school- ng in his life.
His labors were bestowed upon the southeastern parts of Georgia, and contiguous régions in South Carolina. His mis- tion in the latter State was from Savannah river to Beaufort, ind thence to Charleston. He aided in constituting a church ear Edisto, about sixty miles from him, and preached to it nany years. In Georgia, he scattered the good seed of the ingdom from Savannah to Augusta, up and down the river, nd for many miles out. If affliction in his family, or any other ause, prevented his attendance upon his appointments, he al-
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. ways suffered much distress on account of so many being de- prived of an opportunity to hear the gospel of the grace of God. Such privileges were more rare in those days than now, and it may be added, they seem by many to have been more highly prized.
The person of Mr. Hand was large and corpulent, his coun- tenance open and pleasing, his voice soft and harmonious, his address easy and natural. The author remembers to have heard him but once. His theme then was christian experience, a sub- ject with which he seemed to be familiar, and which he treated with great force and powerful effect. The end of such a man was peace, as might have been expected. For several years before his death, he was laid aside from the work in which his best days had been spent, by old age and infirmity. In his last illness, he declined medicine offered him by his kind physician, saying, "I feel assured that my earthly toil is done, and the time of my departure at hand. I feel perfectly submissive. I am willing to go at any moment." In this frame of mind, with bright prospects of future bliss, did the Lord take away his ser- vant from the evil to come, to enjoy the rest that remaineth unto his people. This event occurred the 9th of January, 1837, in the sixty-third year of his age.
KITTRELL WARREN,
An elder brother of Hon. Lot Warren (formerly a member of Congress from Georgia, and for a number of years Judge of the Superior Court,) and General Eli Warren, a most amiable and talented gentleman, and a lawyer of high respectability, was born in Burke county, in this State, October 17th, 1786. His father, Josiah Warren, removed near Bear-camp church, where he received most of his education, and in his eighteenth year the family settled in Laurens county, on the Oconee river. In his twenty-second year he married Mrs. Floyd, daughter of Aaron Low, of Jefferson county. His wife was a woman of ardent and consistent piety. She soon discovered that her hus- band was the subject of strong religious impressions. These impressions, of course, she cherished with much assiduity and prayer. As he labored with his hands to support his family,
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he was accustomed to stop by the road side on his way to his field, fall upon his face before the Lord, and pour out his sup- plications with strong cries and tears. At that period, churches were " few and far between." The nearest to Mr. Warren was some fifteen miles. Now and then, ministers would travel and preach through the destitute regions. Brethren Manning and Bates were on one of those excursions of mercy and love when one anxious sinner, at least, listened to the words of truth. Mr. Bates' text was, "Behold, I bring him forth, that ye may sce that I find no fault in him." Towards the close of his sermon, he paused and, in an impressive manner, exclaimed, " But he will come again the second time, without sin, unto salvation." Mr. Warren was just then enabled to have a believing view of Christ, enthroned in majesty and glory, and something inward- ly whispered, "Have you an interest in this Jesus ?" His whole soul was immediately lit up with holy joy, and though it was succeeded by harassing doubts and fears, yet the good hope, through grace, which then sprang up in his soul never forsook him.
He went forward to the church most convenient to him, and was baptized by Rev. Charles Culpepper, at the meeting next ensuing after his conversion. The family altar was immedi- ately erected in his house, which was never neglected after- wards. He was also wont to lead in prayer and praise in the assemblies of the saints, in his vicinity.
In 1817, he emigrated to Alabama, and settled near the con- fluence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers. He united with a church in the neighborhood, attended by Rev. Isaac Suttles. In May following, having to return to Georgia on business, he left his new home in Alabama, and rode some thirty miles, when he learned the negroes of the settlement through which he was passing expected to have a religious meeting that night. At his own request, he was conducted to a retired spot n a field, whither they were in the habit of repairing to escape the per- secutions and mockery of the Indians, who were numerous and very hostile to religion. Here he read to them from his trav- eling Testament, and gave them such instruction and exhor- tation as their situation seemed to demand. Bidding them an affectionate farewell, he rode on a few miles, lay down by
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the road-side and slept sweetly, though in a country infested with robbers, and rendered dangerous by the bands of treach- erous Indians, lurking about in every direction. "The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."
The next year he removed to another part of Alabama, where he began to exercise more in public, and where he was soon licensed to preach. This liberty was given him by Mars' Hill church, which desired his services. Mr. Warren possessed a heart of large and expansive benevolence. The orphan and widow were always to him objects of tender solicitude. Were they poor, he sent food and administered consolation to the one, and made judicious arrangements for the education of the other. Such was the confidence reposed in him by his neigh- bors, that he was made the umpire of many a difficulty. . He possessed a happy faculty in reconciling differences thus sub- mitted to him. While he resided in Alabama, in company with his wife, he visited a sick young lady, whose life was despaired of by her physicians. Being called upon to pray for her, he did so in a most fervent manner. Her disease at once took a favorable change. She speedily recovered, and two years after- wards joined the church, dating her conviction from that prayer.
In 1827, when he settled in Clark county, Alabama, there was no Baptist church in the vicinity. Many young people, grown up to mature years, had never heard the gospel from the lips of a Baptist minister. Being soon invited to preach at Clarksville, the county-town, he consented to do so, and was about this time ordained by Messrs. Bussey, Travis and What- ley. His zeal prompted him to search out the most destitute places. Such he found at a salt manufactory, where the people were understood to be more depraved and abandoned than any others in all the western wilderness. Here, also, the gospel was made the power of God unto salvation. A great revival was the result of his labors under God, and many souls were hope- fully converted.
A lady of character and wealth, who had always shown great kindness towards Mr. Warren and his family, made them a visit on one occasion, as she said, "for the purpose of inviting his daughter to attend a dancing party at her house." Instead of
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giving his consent for his daughter to attend, he at once pub- lished a lecture on dancing, which he based on this text, "Wo to them that chant to the sound of the violin, and invent to themselves instruments of music like unto David." The lady and her family were so offended at the preacher's faithfulness, that they withdrew from their accustomed attendance upon public worship for months. At length, however, she was stricken with a painful and lingering disease. In this situation, she became deeply anxious about her soul, and must needs send for Mr. Warren to instruct and pray for her. In this instance, likewise, his prayer prevailed. She rose from her bed of sick- ness, rejoicing in hope, and was soon baptized into the fold of Christ.
Having returned to Georgia and settled in Houston county, several years ago Mr. Warren was called to rest from his la- bors. The time and manner of his death are alike unknown to the writer.
The substance of the above sketch, as far as it goes, was pre- pared for this work by his widow; but in the midst of an unfin- ished sentence she breaks off suddenly, for she too is smitten by disease. The end of her journey is just at hand ! She breathes one more prayer-a mother's prayer for her orphan children- oh ! what a prayer was that ! and then sinks sweetly into the arms of death. That prayer is registered in heaven, and it is hoped may yet be prevalent for those on whose behalf it was offered.
Since the foregoing was written, additional facts concerning this good man have been ascertained which ought not to be withheld. His early opportunities for education were exceed- ingly limited ; yet his fondness for books was such that, after he attained to manhood, and even after his marriage, he prose- cuted his studies with such diligence and perseverance as to make him a good English scholar, and in the course of years to furnish him a most valuable amount of information. He ever proved himself a friend of education within the sphere of his influence. It was a habit with him upon leaving home, even for a day, to assign to his children a certain amount of reading, upon which they were invariably examined upon his return, the good effects of which are discernible in their characters to
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this day. This rule was particularly enforced when they were left at home on the Sabbath day. No family of children, per- haps, were ever more faithfully cautioned as to the society they should keep. In all which efforts for the good of his chil- dren he was cordially seconded by his excellent wife.
He came to his death rather mysteriously in about 1837 or 1838. It was during one of those years that he attended one of his preaching appointments, a few miles from his home. His wife started with him to meeting, but stopped on the way on account of the illness of a brother's child. He went on, preached as usual, and started on his return alone. That even- ing he was found lying in the road, in a dying condition, and speechless. It was thought at first that his death was caused by a fall from his horse, (he was on horseback,) but as there were no bruises upon his person, many supposed he died from apoplexy, he being a person of full habit. His surviving chil- dren are Rev. Elijah Warren, Rev. E. W. Warren, and Kittrell Warren, attorney at law.
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JESSE TRAVIS
Was born in Warren county, in this State, September 29th, 1794, and joined the church at the age of fourteen. He resided in Alabama several years, where he was ordained a deacon. In 1829 he was set apart to the ministry at Sharon church, Henry county, where he was pastor several years. He was at times a most powerful preacher, and spake as with the "Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." His conversational powers were of the highest order, and he used them on all occasions for good. He boldly opposed the unwarrantable measures of the Flint River Association in 1830 and 1831, etc., infringing upon the rights of the churches. He was a man of retiring manners, and from his unpretending demeanor and appearance one would hardly have taken him for a talented man. Hence, many were greatly and happily surprised when he became warm in the delivery of his message.
He was a christian of unbounded benevolence. At an early period of life he heard Luther Rice on the mission cause, then on his first tour through the United States. Though from
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hearsay Mr. Travis was strongly prejudiced, yet he hired a horse and rode some twenty miles to meeting, resolved all the way that he would not give one cent. His mind was enlight- ened, however, and having thrown in all his money, he had to borrow from a friend to bear his expenses home.
During the session of the Baptist State Convention in 1833, an urgent appeal being made for aid in behalf of an object upon which the heart of Mr. Travis was much set, he gave all he had and borrowed that he might give more. Rev. Jesse Mercer passed a night with him on his way home, and voluntarily handed the good man an amount larger than all he had con- tributed during the session. His means were small, but his heart swelled with a charity as large as the world.
He made it a matter of conscience to converse personally with his fellow mortals about the interests of their souls. In passing from one of his meetings on a Sunday evening, he fell in with a man who had been spending the Sabbath otherwise than in attendance on the sanctuary. They rode together only a mile or two. This brief period was used to press the subject of religion on the attention of his fellow traveler. The Lord sanctified the truth, and a few months afterwards the author baptized that man, who dated his conviction from the conver- sation alluded to. In company with the writer, he made his last trip, and then went home and died. Having stopped at an inn for dinner, the lady of the house was induced to listen to the pious exhortation of the stranger, and after prayer by Mr. Travis, followed us to the door, with the the earnest request "that her case should always be remembered at the throne of grace."
His case, during a long and painful illness, excited the sym- pathies of his brethren far and near, especially in the Central Association, with which he was connected. Their kindness mitigated his sufferings, and their liberality supplied his wants. Understanding that he had became somewhat involved during his protracted sickness, his brethren voluntarily and without his knowledge made up an amount sufficient to meet all his lia- bilities. In the most delicate manner was this contribution conveyed to him only a few days before his death. He received it in the spirit in which it was tendered. His death, which was
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in correspondence with his character and life, took place in January, 1836.
GEORGE D. SWEET.
Through the kindness of Rev. W. B. Johnson, D. D., of South Carolina, the author has obtained from the widow of Mr. Sweet the following narrative, written mostly by himself, which he takes great pleasure in inserting among these sketches. It is gathered from a "part of his life he had commenced writing, and from a Sabbath diary which he kept up to his last illness." He was a native of Taunton, Massachusetts, and was born De- cember 13th, 1779.
"It appears necessary for me first to mention that I was sprinkled in my infancy in the Episcopal form, in consequence of which I was thought eligible to hold the office of vestryman in Savannah, which I did for several years, without repentance or any idea of vital religion. I was called on by my friends, at a very early period of my life, to be confirmed, the Bishop then being in Newport, Rhode Island, where he then lived. At that time I could know but little of the importance of the reli- gion of Jesus, and was ignorant as to the nature of baptism. And as to confirmation, I knew not what it meant : so I refused ·to be confirmed. What were my reasons for doing so I know not ; but so it was ordered by an overruling Providence, that contrary to the gentle entreaties and positive commands of my friends, I persisted in refusing. About the year 1792, at the age of eleven or twelve, I left my friends in Newport for Hud- son, in the State of New York, it being their desire that I should study physic with a Dr. Wheaton. I remained with him upwards of a year, during which time I was under power- ful convictions. Not recollecting particularly the nature of my impressions at that time, I shall not attempt to record them. My aversion to the apothecary's shop increased to such a de- gree that my friends consented to my return. My desire was to become a merchant. Soon after my return to Newport, I obtained a place in a retail store, which shortly opened a way for me in a wholesale store in New York. Here I readily im- bibed principles of infidelity, young as I was, from listening to
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the conversations of those with whom I resided. This was, if I recollect rightly, about the time " Paine's Age of Reason " made its appearance in New York. And, notwithstanding I was strengthened in error by that abominable production, yet, whenever I was constrained by untoward circumstances to se- rious reflection, I felt great doubt and apprehension, which generally produced severe remorse of conscience. And I do not hesitate to declare that, however professed deists may boast of the strength of their unbelief, there are seasons when each and every one of them who steadfastly set their hearts to resist the light of truth, feel its energy in flashes of conviction. But, alas ! as I once did, so do they-endeavor to silence that faithful but troublesome monitor, in the dreadful delusion of pleasure.
"From the failure of my employers, I experienced several changes of situation in New York, in all of which I was left almost entirely to my own government. I ran into excesses ; but oh, that God who hath watched over and guarded me from my infancy, kept me back from many presumptuous sins, by his restraining grace, that my heart would have drawn me into. I was ambitious to preserve an unblemished reputation. A virtuous action in another, always created in me a desire of imitation. But alas! bad examples and dissipated company soon familiarized me with vice. So that those things I once shuddered at in others, I could now bear with, and could finally practice without remorse. Thus did vice insinuate itself into my affections, until I became a votary to pleasure and dissipa- tion.
" Towards the close of the year 1799, the merchant with whom I lived, having considerable interest in a commercial house in Savannah, Georgia, and being rather doubtful as to its se- curity, and not needing my services any longer, proposed my seeking a situation in this region of country, offering me assis- tance and support in the way of business. Oh, how mercifully did the Lord watch over me during my residence in New York, preserving me in the midst of innumerable dangers. Several times was I raised from the bed of sickness, when my life was despaired of. In 1795, when 'pestilence walked in darkness, and destruction wasted at noonday,' although thousands fell
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at my side, and I lay in the last stage of the yellow fever- given over by my physician and friends-then surely did the Lord deliver me from the noisome pestilence, and afterwards from the snare of the fowler. I remember I was much troubled in my mind during this visitation. Many of my sins were brought to my recolection, and in my delirium it appeared to me that I was constantly struggling with a lion. Yet I do not think I apprehended death, although I had the black vomit. The family with whom I boarded fled the city soon after I was taken, leaving a servant maid to take care of the house and me. She was soon taken with the distemper, and the Lord was pleased to provide two or three friends to take care of us, by calling occasionally, and bringing and sending us necessary nourishment, so that we were not left entirely destitute.
" In December, 1799, I left New York for Savannah. After a short and boisterous passage we arrived, when I was kindly received and found sufficient employment. I very soon felt a sympathy for the black people, and would sometimes reflect how much delight it would give me, were it in my power, to afford them relief. Though habit soon familiarized me to their condition, I must say I never felt a disposition to consider them as beasts of burden.
" In about six months, an opening presented itself for me to engage in business on my own account, which I did in connec- tion with two partners, one of whom was established. I con- sidered myself a complete merchant-could make the best of a bad bargain-felt no compunction in overreaching my neighbor or overcharging my friend. About June, 1800, I left Savannah for New York, to obtain credit and make commercial friends, and on my way to Boston I visited my aunt and sister in New- port, Rhode Island. And here, in gratitude to my dear friends, I must mention that my sister and myself were left orphans ; our earthly father being, as was supposed, lost at sea before I was born, and our mother dying while I was an infant. But our God raised us up a mother in my father's sister, who was, perhaps, too fond of me for my good. My sister tenderly loved me, and her fervent prayers have been heard in my behalf."
Mr. Sweet accomplished the object of his Northern tour, and returned to Savannah elated with success. In 1801, he became
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acquainted with Miss R. R. Porchee, to whom he entered into an engagement for marriage, which was consummated the 21st of December, of that year. His business seemed to be in a very prosperous way, and he now considered himself a happy man. This dream of happiness, however, lasted, but a few months. Speculations in which his firm had embarked proved unsuccessful, and his prospects were at once overshadowed. Upon the birth of their first child, in January, 1803, he pro- posed to his wife that they should read a chapter in the Bible every night. This exercise was blessed to his awakening. "This verse, 'The sceptre shall not depart from Judah,' etc., elicited the first ray of divine light that ever shone on my be- nighted soul." His mind was more or less interested on the subject of religion for several years.
In 1807, he relinquished mercantile pursuits and retired to a farm. Here his seriousness was much increased, and in 1809, the death of several relatives and friends deeply affected him. He writes, "Death is certain, but the time allotted for us, we know not. Therefore, how necessary is preparation for the awful event ! awful, indeed, to those who are not ready ! 'In the midst of life we are in death.' Oh, that these words could be so impressed upon my mind as to make me set about the great work of repentance!" The work he did set about in earnest. His wife was on a visit in the city to Mrs. Williams, wife of Rev. Thomas Williams. He writes to her, " Tell Mr. Williams that I can call him brother now, for Christ Jesus is my Redeemer." He was baptized in Savannah river (he pre- ferred the river to the font,) by Dr. Holcombe, May 13, 1810, and soon joined Sunbury church by letter. Two years after- wards, he was ordained by Rev. W. B. Johnson, then pastor in Savannah, and Rev. C. O. Screven, pastor in Sunbury. The sermon was preached by Dr. Johnson. The exercises connected with his ordination being over, he proceeded at once to admin- ister the ordinance of baptism to seventy-six persons, " upon a lively profession of their faith in Christ." This was at a church in Bryan county. Eight more were received the same day by letter, and the exercises closed by the administration of the Lord's Supper. "A number of former acquaintances had col- lected from different parts-many from Savannah-to witness
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