USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 3
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These evangelists have circulated bibles, religious books and tracts in great numbers. Much gratuitous service on behalf of the body has also been performed, in order to remove prejudice and stir up the churches to practical godliness. Many indigent ministers have been furnished with libraries, and others have received from the Convention valuable additions to their reli-
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gious reading. Upwards of forty young ministers have been aided, more or less, in their education by the charity of the body. And many thousands of dollars have been sent far hence to heathen lands, to aid in sustaining a living ministry and dif- fusing abroad the Word of Life. Without the means of ascer- taining the precise amount, it is believed that not less than $40,000 have passed through the treasury for the foreign mis- sion cause alone.
24. In regard to the session of this body for 1845, the author is dependent on his memory, having failed to obtain a copy of the minutes. He remembers that it was held at Forsyth ; that it was largely attended by both delegates and visitors, and that Sanders was moderator and Mell, clerk. Dr. Burrows, then of Philadelphia, now of Richmond, was present, also Isaac McCoy, missionary to the Indians, through whose efforts a deep interest was awakened in favor of that long neglected and much in- jured race. It was agreed to continue correspondence with the American Indian Mission Association, and Rev. V. R. Thornton was appointed a messenger. This association was organized to remedy, in some measure, the neglect with which those tribes which held slaves were being treated by the Northern boards. Isaac McCoy was one of the most devoted and useful missionaries of modern times. His whole soul seemed to be ab- sorbed in the welfare of the poor Indians.
25. The Convention met in Macon in May, 1846. The intro- ductory sermon was preached by Rev. Josiah S. Law, and was a masterly effort. The same brother subsequently read an "Essay on the Religious Instruction of the Colored Race among us," for which a vote of thanks was tendered to him, and the essay ordered to be published, as was also his sermon. The clerk was instructed " to print in the minutes the names and post-offices of all the ministers of the Baptist denomination in the State," occupying seven pages. This record was renewed eighteen years in succession. The utility of such publication, made annually, is not entirely apparent to the author. The executive committee reported that the domestic missions under their supervision were in a prosperous condition : E. Hedden in Cherokee Georgia, and David Ryals in Tattnall and Irwin counties. Said committee had recommended to the Marion
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Board, James Huckins and W. M. Tryon as missionaries in Texas, under the assurance that liberal contributions for their support would be forthcoming from Georgia. They were ap- pointed, and were among the most useful men who ever preached in the "Lone Star State." Tryon soon fell at his post. Huckins finally left Texas, and became pastor of a church in Charleston, S. C., where he fell a martyr to the cause of the South, having died suddenly from over-exertion in attending to our wounded and dying soldiers during the late war. His op- position to Abolitionism drove him from New England, of which he was a native, about thirty years ago. " Hearn Man- ual Labor School " is noticed in the minutes of this session, but as it is designed to give a separate history of that institution, the author will not allude to it further in the history of the Convention.
26. The session for 1847 was held in the city of Savannah. Introductory by Rev. A. T. Holmes, and the education sermon by J. L. Reynolds, then residing in Virginia. Dr. Shaver, of that State, now editor of the "Christian Index," was in at- tendance, also R. Holman, of Alabama, and R. Furman, of South Carolina. The Southern Baptist Publication Society was organized at this meeting. The project originated with the author of this work. Other brethren joined him in a call for the meeting in Savannah. Said meeting was attended by delegates from several Southern States, and the society was constituted under favorable auspices. Its headquarters were established at Charleston, S. C. Twenty-five or thirty thousand dollars, first and last, were raised to sustain it, and a number of valu- able works (among which was "Soul Prosperity," by Rev. C. D. Mallary,) were issued by it ; and finally it died-why, or how, the author has never been able to ascertain. Rev. A. M. Poin- dexter and Rev. J. P. Tustin were its general agents for several years, and prosecuted their agency with great energy. They were succeeded, if the writer's recollection is not at fault, by Mr. J. J. Toon, recently proprietor of the "Christian Index." The society maintained a sort of ephemeral existence until the commencement of the late war, when it seems to have died in- testate. What became of its assets, if it had any, is a mystery which yet remains to be solved.
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The boards of the Southern Baptist Convention held a meeting during this session, Rev. W. B. Johnson, D. D., of South Caro- lina, in the chair.
The death of Rev. Humphrey Posey, James Lunsford and Joseph Ross were noticed in appropriate terms.
The body listened to an interesting verbal report from Rev. David Ryals, then missionary in Appling county and regions adjacent, and adopted measures, at his request, to secure a co- laborer with him in that destitute field. David Ryals was a sound and impressive preacher, a devoted and highly successful missionary, and one of the most godly and pure-minded men the writer has ever known. Sermons delivered by Revs. A. T. Holmes and J. L. Reynolds were requested for publication.
27. The Convention assembled in Griffin, May 5th, 1848. The introductory sermon, by Rev. V. R. Thornton, from. Eph. i. 22, " And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church," was a discourse remarkable for its clearness, depth and power. As a gospel preacher- particularly as a doctrinal preacher-the writer has never heard Thornton's equal.
Hon. Thomas Stocks, who had been elected moderator the previous year in Savannah, was re-elected to preside over the body, and was continued in the chair until the session in Au- gusta, 1847, when he declined a re-election. Rev. P. H. Mell was elected clerk, and C. M. Irvin assistant clerk. Correspondents were present as follows : From Virginia, J. B. Taylor; from Alabama, R. Holman ; from South Carolina, M. T. Mendenhall and R. Furman, and A. D. Cohen, agent for the American So- ciety for Ameliorating the Condition of the Jews. Rev. Mr. Parsons and Rev. Mr. Safford, Presbyterians, also took seats on the floor of the Convention. It was the custom in those days to invite ministers of other evangelical denominations to seats with the body.
The Southern Baptist Publication Society again held a meet- ing during the recess of the Convention.
Rev. C. D. Mallary read a most interesting and powerful document on Sunday-schools, which was afterwards published by the Southern Baptist Publication Society.
The Marietta church applied for aid in completing their meet-
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ing-house, which was granted, "so soon as the state of the general purpose fund will warrant such appropriation." The executive committee soon paid them one hundred dollars.
Rev. A. D. Cohen, a converted Jew, was invited to address the body in favor of the American Society for Ameliorating the Condition of the Jews. Much interest was manifested in re- gard to the "Christian Index," a report was made on the sub- ject, and the following resolution was adopted : " That the im- provement and increased circulation of the 'Christian Index' demand the immediate and prayerful consideration of this con- vention." Under the direction of the executive committee, do- mestic missions were being vigorously and successfully prose- cuted in different parts of the State. Rev. D. G. Daniell was at work in Atlanta, preaching, and having a meeting-house built for the use of an infant church of twenty members, recently constituted. Ryals was still sowing the good seed of the king- dom in Telfair, Appling and adjacent counties, assisted by Sauls. Duggan was doing likewise in Montgomery county and other portions of the pine regions. Bibles and religious books were furnished to those missionaries, which they scattered in their fields of labor. These were some of the means employed by the Convention in those days for the promotion of the good cause in Georgia. The blessing of God attended them, and glorious were the triumphs of truth.
28. The session for 1849 was held at Athens, commencing May 18th. Introductory by Rev. C. D. Mallary. Stocks con- tinued as moderator, and Mell as clerk. Visiting ministers, who took seats with the Convention, J. S. Baker, B. Manly, Jr., of Alabama, Drs. Hoyt and Church, of the Presbyterian church, Magill, of the Congregational, and Boring and Key, of the Methodist. Correspondents were present as follows: A. M. Poindexter, (then corresponding secretary of the Southern Baptist Publication Society, from South Carolina Baptist Con- vention ; Mendenhall, Boyce, Cuthbert, Ball and others. Ball was announced as general agent of the Richmond Board for Georgia.
The trustees of Mercer University were instructed "to fix terms of scholarship, single, perpetual and family." It was stated, on good authority, " that out of the whole number of 3
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students graduated at Mercer, there is not one who is not either engaged in some useful and honorable employment, or dili- gently preparing to be thus engaged."
Regret was expressed that the patronage of the Female Seminary at Penfield was so limited.
Rev. J. S. Baker had resigned the editorship of the " Chris- tian Index," and B. M. Sanders was conducting it temporarily. A select committee suggested its removal "to Macon, Atlanta or elsewhere."
Mr. J. E. Willett had been elected Professor of Natural Phi- losophy and Chemistry in Mercer University. The trustees never made a better appointment.
Peter Northen, one of the best of men, and a competent and faithful officer, was re-elected treasurer of the convention. He has since gone to his reward in heaven. .
29. Marietta was the place of meeting in 1850. The opening sermon was delivered by Rev. Robert Fleming, and the educa- tion sermon on Sabbath by W. H. Stokes. The old officers continued.
The Middle Cherokee Association and the Middle Association were received as constituents.
An application for membership from a missionary society formed in Griffin Baptist church was at first rejected, but the rejection was reconsidered and the subject referred to a special committee, (of which the wise and venerable ex Governor Wilson Lumpkin was chairman,) who recommended its reception, and such a change in the constitution " as hereafter to exclude all auxiliary societies from direct representation in this conven- tion." The author doubts seriously whether a money basis, upon which auxiliary societies obtain representation, is entirely con- sistent with Baptist principles.
" General Duff Green, by permission, made some remarks on the subject of education, and closed with an offer to this body of twenty thousand dollars to endow two institutions, a male and a female, at Dalton, provided others will contribute twenty thousand dollars more." This proposal was referred to a com- mittee, of which Rev. J. S. Baker was chairman, who subse- quently reported : " The objects of this society, however, (the one represented by General Green,) are so multifarious, and
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their accomplishment depends on so many contingencies, that this Convention, at its present session, cannot act understand- ingly upon them ;" which report was adopted. The speech of General Green was characteristic, and will not likely ever be forgotten by those who heard it.
A legacy of eight hundred dollars, " for the support and promul- gation of the gospel," from the estate of John Turner, of Upson county, was secured to this body, and paid over by Rev. A. T. Holmes, Jacob King and others.
The committee on publications, of which T. U. Wilkes was chairman, after recommending several publications, say : " Last of all, and above all, we recommend the Book-the Bible-the com- position of the Holy Ghost, the word of the living and only true God, which is able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith, . which is in Christ Jesus."
The trustees reported that they were still adding improve- ments to the buildings and campus of Mercer University. Nothing further, out of the ordinary routine of business, trans- pired at this session, if we may except a proposition emanating from Griffin and advocated by Rev. V. A. Gaskill, to remove Mercer University to that city, which elicited much warm dis- cussion, and which was rejected.
30. According to appointment, the Convention assembled at Perry, Houston county, May 23d, 1851. The introductory ser- mon by N. M. Crawford, and that on ministerial education by J. E. Dawson.
A communication from the Georgia Association was received, requesting the Convention " to recommend a proper catechism for the religious instruction of our families." Referred to a special committee, who reported a recommendation that a com- mittee be appointed to suggest some work of the kind which our people may be willing to adopt. W. H. Stokes was ap- pointed chairman of that committee.
From the report of the special committee on the report of the trustees of Mercer University, the following sentence is- extracted : "The official term of the board of trustees expiring with this session, your committee cannot forbear to express their unfeigned admiration on the review of their faithful dis- charge of the obligations, their prudent management of the in-
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teresis, and their enlightened and noble designings of the en- terprise committed to their care." This is only one of many similar records made by the Convention concerning not only the board of trustees, but also the executive committee.
Reports on missions, Sunday-schools, etc., were all encour- aging, and the following resolution, offered by Rev. Joseph Polhill, on the subject of schools, was adopted : "That it is cause of rejoicing to us that so many seminarics, for the edu- cation of males and females, have sprung into existence and are sustained under Baptist influence; that these seminaries are important agencies for the advancement of the Baptist cause and the progress of truth ; that in view of these facts, our brethren be affectionately but earnestly requested to edu- . cate their children at thesc institutions."
Mr. Dawson's sermon on education, preached on Sunday, was requested for publication.
J. H. Campbell declined re-election as a trustee of Mercer University, and at his instance Mr. James Clark, of Lumpkin, was appointed in his place.
The executive committee reported having appointed Rev. J. F. Dagg as editor of the " Christian Index," and that a " full, complete and final settlement " had been effected with Rev. J. S. Baker, " of all matters relating to his former interest in the paper."
31. The introductory sermon to the session at Columbus in 1852, was preached by Rev. S. C. Hillyer, and the education ser- mon on Sabbath by S. Landrum. A copy of the latter was re- quested for publication. The old officers were continued.
The venerable William C. Buck, of Kentucky, corresponding secretary of the Bible Board of the Southern Baptist Conven- tion, was in attendance, and addressed the Convention. A large number of delegates and correspondents, besides many visitors male and female, were also present.
The order of business was suspended on Saturday, at noon, " to afford the Rev. S. Bonhomme, agent of the American Soci- ety, for Ameliorating the Condition of the Jews, an opportu- nity to address the Convention."
A committee was appointed at Lagrange, who were expected
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to " exercise a general supervision of the Bible interest" in Georgia, of which James Culberson was chairman.
A large and spirited meeting was held at night in favor of Mercer University, addresses made by T. J. Burney, Hillyer, Dawson and Dr. Dagg, and the following resolutions adopted : "That the ample endowment of Mercer University is a matter of gratitude to Almighty God, and encouragement to our de- nomination," and "That this Convention set apart a day of concerted prayer for more young men who may become quali- fied for the labors of the ministry."
The death of the faithful Domestic Missionary of the pine region, David Ryals, was recorded with lamentations.
The report on education expresses the gratitude of the Con- vention for the educational advantages afforded by Mercer University. But it does not stop there; it records the grati- fication of the members that seminaries are springing up in all parts of the State for the improvement of both males and fe- males, and that other denominations are vieing with the Bap- tists in promoting this good work. They rejoice also, in the means of education afforded by the State to the deaf and dumb, as well as to the blind.
The subject of removing the Christian Index from Penfield to some larger town was again considered, without arriving at any definite conclusion.
One hundred and forty students had been admitted into Mer- cer University within the collegiate year.
It was decided that henceforth there shall not be a sermon on education preached annually as heretofore.
32. At Atlanta, on the 22d of April, 1853, the introductory sermon to the thirty-second session of the Georgia Baptist Con- vention, was delivered by Rev. B. F. Tharp.
A large number of visiting ministers were present, among whom were T. J. Bowen, J. S. Dennard and W. H. Clark, mis- sionaries under appointment to Africa. Bowen had recently returned from that country, having spent several years there; but was intending to sail again soon, accompanied by Dennard and Clark. A meeting was held on Sunday night, which was largely attended, when addresses were delivered by said mis-
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sionaries. Bowen's address especially excited deep interest, as he spoke from experience.
The delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention, soon to assemble, were requested to bring the subject of establishing a mission or missions in Burmah, to the attention of that body.
It was suggested by the executive committee, that the fe- male Academy at Penfield, with its buildings, apparatus, etc., be transferred to the citizens of the village, it being a local in- stitution, which suggestion was approved, and it was accord- ingly so transferred. It had not been, on the whole, a flourish- ing school, and the management of it had given the Convention a good deal of. trouble.
Mercer University was reported to be highly prosperous, the number of students being greater than at any former period.
At the instance of the Bible Board at Lagrange, the locality of that Board was changed to Savannah, and a new Board ap- pointed, of which Rev. J. P. Tustin was chairman.
It was agreed to memorialize Congress " in favor of religious toleration of citizens of the United States all over the world," and a committee appointed for this purpose, of which Rev. S. Landrum was chairman.
Donations of books were made to several ministers, among whom was A. T. Spalding. This had been a practice of the body for many years, and many of our ministers were greatly improved in this way.
A Sunday-school convention was held in connection with this session, and the report of its committee published in the min- utes.
It was ordered that the constitution of this body, as amend- ed in 1848, be published with the minutes.
33. The body assembled at Washington, Wilkes county, in April, 1854. The introductory discourse was delivered by Rev. J. P. Tustin, and the old officers re-elected.
Revs. Samuel Henderson and Joseph Walker of Alabama, J. B. Jeter, R. B. C. Howell, and J. B. Taylor of Virginia, and J. G. Binney, late missionary to Burmah, were in attendance.
On Sabbath, Revs. Howell, Mallary and Binney preached in the Baptist church, and Jeter, Campbell and Henderson in the Methodist. Dr. Mallary's sermon, preached by invitation, was
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commemorative of Rev. B. M. Sanders, recently deceased, and was subsequently published in book form. Rev. N. M. Craw- ford preached to the colored congregation.
The constitution was amended so as to allow each association four delegates, without reference to its numbers, and to an "additional delegate for every five hundred members ; provided the number of delegates for any one association shall never exceed fifteen." This is the numerical basis of representation. The constitution already provided for the representation of auxiliary societies upon a money basis-each society, paying annually fifty dollars, being entitled to one delegate, and to an additional delegate for every hundred dollars; provided that such societies shall never have more than three delegates. The constitution thus amended, remains substantially the same to this day.
The Bible Board at Savannah, had collected about three thou- sand dollars, had nine colporteurs employed, and were vigor- usly prosecuting their work.
Ten beneficiaries were being educated, and nine preachers had received donations of books.
34. The place of meeting, April 20th, 1855, was Newnan, Coweta county. H. H. Tucker preached the opening sermon from Psalms, cxxii. 1: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord," which was a most ap- propriate and effective effort. The old custom of having an annual sermon on ministerial education was revised, and has been kept up since.
Among the visiting ministers were J. M. Chiles, of South Carolina ; G. L. Sandidge, J. H. Eaton and J. R. Graves, of Tennessee ; A. M. Poindexter, of Virginia ; S. Henderson and J. T. Tichenor, of Alabama ; J. P. Tustin, of Charleston, S. C .; A. C. Dayton, of Nashville; and H. F. Buckner, missionary to the Indians, and A. D. Phillips, soon to sail for Africa ; also, A. E. Stevens, from Burmah. On Saturday forenoon the regular order was suspended, and H. F. Buckner delivered one of the most impressive and telling speeches ever made in the Georgia Baptist Convention, upon which a collection was taken up for Indian missions, amounting to $1,139 00, and resolutions passed encouraging the Southern Baptist Convention to accept the
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charge of those missions should the transfer be proposed by the Indian Mission Association. This transfer was effected and said association was dissolved.
Quite a number of ministers had died during the year : Joshua S. Callaway, Isaac R. Eskew, Wyche Jackson, Samuel Cannon, Evans Pearsons, Henry Garland, W. W. Arnold, and Henry Stevens.
A package of books was donated by Dr. Adiel Sherwood, for which the thanks of the body were voted him.
Mercer University was reported "in a flourishing condition." Dr. Dagg had resigned the presidency, and Rev. N. M. Craw- ford had accepted the position.
35. The associations and societies composing the Convention were represented in Savannah, April, 1856, by one hundred and fifty-six delegates. Introductory by Rev. E. B. Teague, from Psalms, li. 12, 13.
Hon. Thomas Stocks was prevailed upon to act as moderator, and was re-elected. " The former clerk having declined a re- election, J. F. Dagg was chosen clerk, and William C. Wilkes assistant clerk."
" On motion of brother Warren : Resolved, That the sincere thanks of the Convention are hereby tendered to brethren P. H. Mell and C. M. Irvin for the very faithful and efficient man- ner in which they have served this body for eleven years as its clerks."
Rev. P. W. Samson, now President of the Columbian College, D. C., was present as a correspondent from the Maryland Union Association.
For more than a year preceding this session, the public mind of the denomination had been unusually disturbed on account of the affairs of Mercer University. At the instance of the trustees, Dr. Dagg had resigned the presidency, and Rev. N. M. Crawford had been elected in his place and had accepted. Professor Mell and other friends of Dr. Dagg had shown great dissatisfaction on the occasion, and he and Professor Hillyer, (a son-in-law of Dr. Dagg,) had resigned. The trustees had la- bored to quiet these dissensions, and had apparently been suc- cessful ; but they soon broke out again and became more serious than ever. Finally, the only course left to the trustees, as they
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believed, was to dismiss Professor Mell, which they did by giving him, under an existing rule, six months' notice ; where- upon, with the consent of the board, he retired at once from the institution, and very soon thereafter published and circu- lated a pamphlet styled "An Exposition of Recent Events in Mercer University," arraigning the Board at the bar of public opinion. To this pamphlet neither the Board nor any member thereof had made any reply.
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