USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 29
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Old age neither dampened the ardor nor restrained the zeal of Mr. Reeves in the great work to which he had so faithfully devoted his life. A friend, who visited him in March, 1858, says, n substance : " The time for his departure was drawing nigh. He was fully sensible of this, but talked as calmly about it as f he was going on a journey. His only desire to live longer was that he might preach the gospel. He manifested more con- bern for the conversion of his attending physician than for his own recovery. Throughout his sickness, he ceased not to ex- hort and counsel all who came about him, whether saints or inners. Among his last words were, that, although he felt no great ecstacy in view of death, he had an abiding faith that all vas well. As his last hour approached, he rose from his bed,
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though greatly debilitated, and asked to be helped to a seat near the fire, so that he might have family prayer once more. Having requested a brother Burke, who was present, to take up and complete his prayer should his breath fail, he agonized long and fervently in that last offering which he made as priest of his household. It was noticed by his friends that he made most fervent appeals for his country-that country which was so soon to be deluged with blood. Having given all necessary directions about his temporal affairs, designated the text from which he wished brother Burke to deliver his funeral discourse, (2d Timothy, chapter iv. 6, 7 and 8 verses,) he calmly fell asleep in Jesus, and was gathered, 'as a shock of corn fully ripe,' into the garner of the Lord." The author has known but few as good men as James Reeves.
JOSIAH S. LAW.
· Josiah Spry Law, son of Rev. Samuel Spry Law and Rebecca G., (Hughes,) his wife, was born in Sunbury, Georgia, on the 5th of February, 1808, and there received a good classical edu- cation, principally under the instruction of the Rev. James Shannon. In 1827, that gentleman having removed to Augusta, at the solicitation of the Baptist church in that city, and desir- ing an assistant in his school, offered the place to Mr. Law, who accepted it, and at the same time prosecuted his own studies. Here, during a revival of religion, he was converted and united himself with the Baptist church.
Up to this time, he had designed entering the profession of the law, to which his mind was peculiarly adapted, and in which he would, no doubt, have been distinguished. But God had other purposes for him, and his grace touched a chord in the bosom of his young servant that had never vibrated before. It was not long that he hesitated in regard to his duty. Surren- dering all his previous ambitious aims, he resolved to give him- self, without reserve, to whatever work the Master had called him. That work, he was persuaded, was the gospel ministry. Accordingly, with a view to prepare himself for it, he soon after entered the Theological Seminary, at Newton, Massachu- setts, where he took the usual course of three years, and grad-
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uated with credit. On his return home, he was called to the care of the Sunbury church, and was ordained in December, 1830. (Rev. Charles B. Jones and J. H. Campbell were or- dained at the same time, and by the same ceremony.)
In January, 1831, he entered upon his ministerial duties, which were discharged with so much zeal and ability that he at once won the confidence and affection of his brethren. In October, 1832, he accepted an invitation to take charge of the Baptist church at Macon; but, after remaining there a few months, he returned, in the spring of 1833, and resumed his connection with the Sunbury church. In 1835 he was called to the pastorate of the Baptist church in Savannah, and after spending a year with them, was again called back to his first charge, the Sunbury church; and, in consequence of the de- clining health of his father, he felt it his duty to return. In 1840 he became the pastor of the North Newport church, in Liberty county. He was, also, for several years, pastor of the South Newport church, in McIntosh county.
The Baptists in Liberty county have at no time been very strong, except with the colored population, among whom they are the prevailing denomination. Of late years the number of white communicants has been greatly diminished by removal and death. Sunbury, where their chief strength lay, has been almost entirely forsaken. The dead who sleep in its quiet grave-yard, and whose faces are not forgotten by the present generation, outnumber far its living inhabitants. The old church is still there,* like a lonely sentinel amidst surrounding desolation. Faithful to its office, its old bell yet breaks the silence of the Sabbath morning to herald the coming of the missionary to the negroes, who, for convenience, meet there from different points in the neighborhood, and for whose sake a church organization is still preserved. North Newport has also suffered severely, but not to the same extent, from the same causes. Winn, and the elder Screven, and Dunham, and the elder Law, whose names are fragrant in the memory of Baptists, have years ago entered upon their rest. Those who succeeded them in the ministry have been called to other fields of labor in our own and in heathen lands. The excellent
*It was burned to the ground by Federal soldiers during the late war.
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brother whose career I have undertaken to trace, remained and toiled through all discouragements in a position that prom- ised but little reward beyond the consciousness of a faithful discharge of duty.
Deeply concerned for the spiritual welfare of the negroes from the commencement of his ministry, he had been accus- tomed to devote part of his time to their special benefit, and for several years previous to his death, the largest part of his services was given to them. He was successful in his labors among them, an evidence of which is found in the fact, that a short time previous to his fatal sickness, he baptized thrity- six, and had, at the time of his death, about sixty candidates for baptism. This was no unusual occurrence. Nor was it the result of excitement. They were well instructed and intelli- gent converts. It was his custom (as it is that of the Presby- terian brethren engaged in the same work in Liberty county) not only to preach to them, but also to teach them orally, old and young, upon every occasion, either before or after the ser- mon. He felt that the soul of the black man was as precious to the Saviour as that of the master, and every heart that loves Christ and the souls of men, can appreciate the interest for this class and sympathize in the reluctance with which he would contemplate a removal from his charge, that would per- haps leave them without a shepherd and guide. His ambition was not for worldly distinction, but to do his Master's will, and to do it well. Had he sought distinction, it would not have been in vain. The positions he could have commanded would have opened to him a field in which he could have gratified such a desire, had he cherished it. A few years before his death, he was elected professor in the theological department of Mercer University, but preferring the more immediate duties of the ministry, he declined.
He continued in the field of his early labors until attacked by a malignant disease, to which he was much exposed in at- tendance upon sick and dying friends, and which terminated his life while he was yet in the vigor of manhood, on the 5th of October, 1853. From the commencement of his illness his sufferings were great-so great that he was unable to converse ; and, though sometimes bewildered, he was frequently heard to
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say, " Thy will, O Lord, not mine, be done!" and to repeat some passage of scripture suited to himself and his sorrowing family. His last words were two verses of that beautiful hymn commencing-
"There is a land of pure delight."
It is no unmerited eulogy to say, that the subject of this notice, in intellectual endowments, in devotion to his high call- ing, in earnest eloquence, and in fidelity to his office, occupied a very high rank in his profession. Endowed with talents that might have qualified him for any station, he knew no ambition but to serve God acceptably ; he coveted no honor but that of being " found in Christ." The bouyancy of his spirits and the warmth of his heart, his frankness and the high tone of feeling which gave a beautiful finish to his character, rendered him a fascinating companion and a valued friend, while his integrity and manly independence secured the respect of all. His wit and genial humor in social intercourse made him highly at- tractive to all classes, and especially to the young, over whom his influence was happily exerted. Social in his feelings, he did not seclude himself in cold isolation from the world around him; but having a heart that could participate in the happiness and sympathize in the sorrows of others, he gave freedom to the noblest emotions of the soul, and endeared himself to his friends by identifying himself with them in every scene of life. His attachments were strong, and he made no professions of regard but such as were the spontaneous breathings of a warm and generous heart. No man had warmer friends, and no one was worthier of them.
As a preacher, he was nice in his .discriminations, unfolding . the doctrines of the gospel with clearness, and applying them with great power to the practical duties of life. Independent in thought, and bold in declaring what he believed to be the truth, his sermons were rich in matter, logical, and habitually instructive. His preparations for the pulpit were thorough, and when he entered the sanctuary, it was with beaten oil. Ardent in feeling, his eloquence was often highly impassioned, and his whole manner was well fitted to give effect to his dis- courses. His last sermon, which was preached the day on which he was attacked by the malady that terminated his life,
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is said to have been characterized by remarkable unction and impressiveness. "Christ crucified " was always the burden of his preaching, as it was the ground of his hope.
Mr. Law was rather below the medium height, well formed, and of agreeable personal appearance. A free, open counte- nance, sparkling brown eyes, and a head of fine intellectual development, were expressive of frankness, vivacity and intel- ligence. His physical, intellectual and moral man were in ad- mirable harmony.
Mr. Law was married on the 13th of January, 1831, to Ellen S. Barrett, of Augusta, Georgia. This estimable lady, with ten children-nine sons and a daughter-survived him. His oldest son had just entered the profession of medicine, and the next that of law, at the time of his death. He was very happy in his domestic relations, and proved to the wife of his youth a devoted husband. Practically a stranger to austerity, his chil- dren were encouraged to be open and frank in his presence. At the same time he held them under all needful restraint, thus blending, in his intercourse with them, the freedom of compan- ionship with the authority of "one that ruleth well his own house."
His servants were brought under the same rule of kindness and decision by which he controlled his children. His interest in this class of our Southern population I have already referred to, but it may not be out of place here to remark that he was, in turn, greatly loved by them, and little is hazarded in saying that, in all our broad domain, no servant of Jesus is more sa- credly enshrined in the hearts of the grateful children of Africa, who received the gospel from his lips, and to whose spiritual good his life was consecrated.
HENRY OTIS WYER.
The subject of this sketch was born in Beverly, Massachu- setts, 19th March, 1802. His early advantages were limited, but by industry and application, he prepared himself to enter Waterville College, Maine, about his eighteenth year. Few men were blessed with a better mother. She possessed high intellectual culture, and was eminently pious. The cherished
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desire of her heart was to see her eldest son a minister. God heard her prayers and answered her request. Soon after his conversion and entrance upon college, his mother removed to Alexandria, Virginia, where she remained until her death. On her return there he left Waterville, and entered Columbian Col- lege, District of Columbia, where he continued his studies for two or three years. His ministry commenced soon after his conversion. When but a mere boy, he entered upon the great work of preaching Christ to sinners, and continued to love and labor for souls as long as he lived.
After leaving college he returned North, where he spent a few months in preaching to destitute churches. About the year 1824, he received an appointment to labor as a city mis- sionary in Savannah, Georgia. The Baptist church at that time was without a pastor, the members few and feeble, the cause languishing and almost dead. That eminently good and pious man, Josiah Penfield, then the most useful and influen- tial member in the church, soon heard of him, and of his mis- sion to the city. Attracted by his piety, his zeal, his talents, the church soon called him to become their pastor. Though young and inexperienced, he entered with zeal and energy upon this important field of labor. He was ordained pastor of" the church during that year, by the late Rev. W. T. Brantly, who was then pastor of the church in Augusta, and the Rev. James Shannon, then of Liberty county. About two years after his or- dination he was married to Miss Mary S. Hartstene, of Savannah, who, from her youth, was admired for her grace of manners, in- telligence of mind, excellent discretion, and cheerful piety. She survived her husband nine years. On the 21st March, 1866, she passed from earth to join him in the rest above. Two chil- dren only were the fruit of their marriage, the younger son -- a physician of great promise and usefulness-sleeps beside his parents; the elder still survives, and is a minister of the gos- pel in Virginia. He remained pastor of the church about ten years, when his health failed through the excessive labors con- sequent upon a succession of revivals with which his ministry was attended. During these years he toiled incessantly, his time, talents and energies were taxed to their utmost. What- ever he attempted he did with all his might. Besides the three
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regular services of the Sabbath-which was the custom at that time-he often had two, and frequently three, during the week. Hundreds were converted under his ministry, the church was revived and built up, and the Baptist cause greatly advanced. Nor during that period were his labors confined to his own church and people, but the adjacent churches in Georgia and South Carolina were often visited by him, and were, through his instrumentality, blessed with gracious seasons of refreshing. Several precious revivals occurred at Beaufort, South Carolina, under his ministry. Among the number baptized there was Rev. Dr. R. Fuller, between whom and himself there continued to exist a strong and devoted attachment during his whole life. In Georgia such men as Lathrop, DeVotie, D. G. Daniell, and many others who are now among the most prominent and useful ministers in the denomination, were converted through his instrumentality and baptized by him. He loved above everything else to be in a revival. Those who have been with him on such occasions, can appreciate his special adaptedness for such work. His last letter ever written to his son, ex- presses his feelings on this subject. We extract the following sentences: "The happiest period of my life was when hard at work in the ministry. It is a great and good work, and must tell upon the destinies of eternity. Take heed unto thy- self, I. Timothy, iv. 16. A personal influence is all-important. Seek to move the conscience, the affections, the moral man, in preaching, in conversation, in prayers, in everthing."
When the Rev. J. G. Binney resigned the church to go to Burmah, he was re-elected pastor, but he consented to take the church only for the year, that he might relieve the building from the encumbrance of a heavy debt. His object accomplish- ed he retired; but on the division of the church a year or two afterwards, when the second Baptist church was constituted, he became its pastor. His health did not permit him to labor long in this capacity. He was succeeded after two years, by Rev. J. P. Tustin, but never afterwards assumed the regular pastoral care of a church, though he frequently supplied desti- tute churches in various portions of the country, and endeav- ored to preach every Sabbath when his health would permit it.
As a preacher, he had few equals. The pulpit was the throne
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of his strength. He was emphatically a christian preacher, and in his eye all truth arranged itself around the cross of Christ. His characteristics were clearness, unction and force. He never prostituted the pulpit to purposes of mere rhetorical display and intellectual entertainment. Convinced himself, he sought to convince others. Relying on God, he believed that the truth was capable of being so exhibited as to commend itself to every man's conscience. Studying that truth himself, and feeling its adaptation to his own intellect and heart, his presentations of truth was such as to impress the minds of his hearers with the belief that his heart was deeply imbued with its Spirit. He felt that no man could preach who did not himself perceive the glory of Christ, and know experimentally the preciousness of Christ. There was in his preaching an unction, a pathos and an eloquence that we have rarely seen equalled in any other speaker. His fine person, flashing eye and sonorous voice, com- bined with a comprehensive mind, a cultivated intellect and a sanctified heart, peculiarly fitted him for an effective preacher. His sermons were generally well prepared, but he rarely ever wrote them in full. He usually preached from notes, his thoughts came rapidly, his language was chaste, yet forcible, his imagination fervid, and he possessed a fluency that made him ready for any occasion. Many have regretted that some of his most effective sermons had not been written out But. after all, the written sermons of a minister are a poor exponent of his influence. However elaborate their construction and finished their style, they are but the residuum of a sparkling cup. Those who read what they once heard invariably confess to a feeling of disappointment, and can with difficulty be per- suaded that the sentences over which their eye passes so lan- guidly on the printed page are the very same which, upon the delivery from the pulpit, fresh from the heart and lips of their authors, were as a chariot of fire to the devout auditor. "In fact, every attempt to present on paper the splendid effects of im- passioned eloquence, is like gathering dew drops, which appear jewels and pearls on the grass, but run to water in the hand, the essence and the elements remain, but the grace, the sparkle and the form are gone."
The following was written by Dr. W. T. Brantly a short time
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after his death : "As a pulpit orator, our departed brother, when in health, had very few superiors in this country. He had a fine presence, and when his sonorous voice and piercing eye were animated by a soul filled with love to Christ, and yearning for the conversion of sinners, he spoke with the most thrilling effect. Who that heard him preach for upwards of two hours at the Georgia Baptist Convention, in Madison, about fourteen years ago, will ever forget that sermon? Who grew weary under that protracted discourse? During the remarkable revi- val which took place in Charleston, in 1846, he and Rev. Rich- ard Fuller frequently spoke on the same occasion. After Dr. Fuller had preached for more than an hour and wrought the audience to a degree of feeling which was intense, I have seen brother Wyer rise and with appeals almost electric, swell the feeling into deeper emotion and retain the multitude in profound attention to a late hour of the night. A beautiful feature in our beloved brother's character was his humility. He never seemed to be conscious of his great power, and shrank from anything like notoriety. He was willing to work in the most obscure positions, and always rejoiced when his ministering breth- ren were assigned places of distinction. His genial disposition made him a universal favorite in society, whilst his intelligent conversation and refined manners gave him access to the best circles in our country."
An incident was related to the writer a few years ago by Dr. W. F. Broaddus, of Virginia, illustrative of his great power in exhortation : Dr. Broaddus and himself were conducting a protracted meeting many years ago at Culpepper Court-house. There was then no Baptist church in the place, and the services were held in the court-house. The meetings became deeply solemn, and many were inquiring what they must do to be saved ? In the village was a gentleman of standing and influ- ence who was a professed infidel. His wife was a truly pious woman and a Baptist. She tried to persuade her husband to attend the meetings, but he continued to refuse. One night he was led by the spirit of God to the meeting. He did not ven- ture in, but stood at the door. The speaker was delivering one of his most effective exhortations. The man was attracted by his voice, his manner, his soul-stirring appeals. He entered
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the room. As the speaker proceeded in his exhortation he ad- vanced up the aisle nearer and still nearer, until at last he fell down, amid tears and sobs, and cried to God for mercy.
The following touching and truthful tribute to his memory was written by Rev. Dr. Fuller, of Baltimore : "The papers have lately announced the departure of this minister of Christ, and the news will afflict many churches and many hearts in our country. It was not long after he came to the South, when the writer of this notice entered a church almost casually. In the pulpit was a man, still young, with a very striking ap- pearance, with a musical, sonorous voice, and whose gesture was graceful and commanding. These accomplishments were, however, soon forgotten, and the attention of the entire aud- ience riveted by the earnestness and pathos with which the speaker enforced the simple but sublime truths of the gospel. Although utterly careless, I could but be impressed as he urged " the one thing needful " for man's peace and happiness and 'salvation. " Who is this ?" "The Rev. Mr. Wyer, pastor of Savannah Baptist church." I lost sight of him for some years, but we were destined to meet again, and often to share the toils and cares and successes and sorrows of the ministry. I remember, as it were yesterday, the calm sweet morning when he led me down into the water and baptized me into that name so precious to us both. Scene after scene rises to my memory when we knelt together, and from one closet went forth to preach Jesus to the great congregation, and to triumph together in seeing the salvation of the gospel breaking forth on the right hand and on the left. For him, all this has ceased. In- deed, for many years his impaired health compelled him to re- linquish the occupation so dear to his heart. He had to resign his pastorship, and, with Rutherford, to " mourn over his dumb Sabbaths." He has finished his course. What anxieties, what cares, what griefs, what joys, what fears, what labors, what tears and groans, what hopes and disappointments, are crowded into the life of a faithful minister of the gospel ! He knew all these, but now he knows them no more. He has passed from them to the peace and purity and rapture-the wreaths and the robes of the victor-to the crown of righteousness, which
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the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to them who fight the good fight of faith and are faithful unto death."
As I have already said, Mr. Wyer was endowed with rare personal advantages for the work of the ministry. His fluency was uncommon ; indeed, it was to him (as it is too often to those who possess the faculty,) a snare. And yet, what a gift when he had prepared himself by study ! In what burning ac- cents-with what a flood of eloquence could he pour out all his thoughts ! His mind was strong, vigorous, comprehensive ; his imagination lively and fertile. But the secret of his pulpit power was in his heart. There the truest, warmest, most ten- der and noblest elements found their congenial abode. Napo- leon said that he " governed men by fear, and that men could be governed only by fear." How different is the wisdom of the gospel, and how much truer its philosophy, which teaches us that love is, and must be, (the power is, indeed, the wisdom and power of God,) where such a being as man is to be con- trolled. In the character of our deceased brother, love was the all-pervading, all-constraining element. In all his official life-as a preacher and pastor-in the desk, in the parlor, in the sick chamber, he was all tenderness and gentleness and af- fection-" the love of Christ constraining him."
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