USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 32
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" In 1830, I withdrew from public life and moved to Greens- boro, for the purpose of winding up the affairs of a bank that had been there. I continued there four years. Brother Vin- cent Sanford subsequently moved into the place, and a church was organized. But the Presbyterians occupied nearly all the villages and towns in those days."
HUMPHREY POSEY.
This eminent servant of God was born in Henry county, Virginia, January 12th, 1780. While he was yet a child, his father removed to Burke county, North Carolina, where young Posey spent his youth. His parents were pious, and maintain- ed an excellent character. His mother, especially, seems to have been a person of superior natural endowments, of great decision of character, and of indomitable perseverance, which traits of character were inherited by her son. He was above. the ordinary size, of powerful frame, of fine head and face, and possessed great vivacity and activity both of body and mind. The books from which his mother taught him to read, were the Psalter and New Testament, the latter of which he had read through several times before he was seven years old. He was enabled to acquire the merest rudiments of an English
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education, but this small stock (to his credit be it recorded,) was greatly improved in . after years, so that he wrote and spoke more correctly than many who enjoyed superior advan- tages. "Through desire, a man having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom." Proverbs, xvii. 1. The fact that he was brought up on a farm, and had to " work for a living," contributed, no doubt, much to the devel- opment of his body and mind.
His first marriage occurred when he was quite young, being only a little upwards of twenty. Dr. Franklin would have com- mended him for wisdom. He was at least wise in the fact that he selected a pious woman for a wife, of whom Solomon de- clares, "she will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life." Proverbs xxxi. 12. Her maiden name was Lettice Jolly. - He left a written account of his religious experience, which differs but little from that of many others we have heard or read. The Holy Spirit seems to have striven with him nearly two years before he was enabled to exercise saving faith, and even then he "rejoiced with trembling." He was baptized into the fellowship of a Baptist church in Union District, South Carolina, (where he had been teaching " little old-field schools," as he expressed it,) on the 11th of June, 1802. On coming up out of the water, he had a strong desire to address the people, but the enemy of his soul suggested, "you have gone too far already ; for in a short time you will turn out as bad as ever," and so he yielded, and said nothing. Yet the day of his bap- tism he ever after regarded as one of the happiest days of his life. He felt that he was inexpressibly honored in being per- mitted to follow his Saviour. His first attempt at public exhor- tation and prayer, was during a camp-meeting at the church where his membership was. (Such meetings were not uncom- mon among the Baptists in those times.) He was licensed to preach in 1803, and in 1804 he removed to Buncombe county, North Carolina, where he received ordination in 1805. He says, "I commenced preaching, of evenings, in a destitute set- tlement near where I was teaching a school, on Cane creek. Brother James Whitaker and myself drew up Articles of Faith, as we could not find any in the country ; and we collected all ch the members intending to be in the constitution, and examined
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them on the articles. All being agreed, a Presbytery was in- vited to attend. The Presbytery was pleased with our Arti- cles of Faith, and so the church was organized. Two of the members were, at the same time, ordained to the deacon's office, and I was ordained to the work of the ministry. At the next meeting I baptized four professed believers, and the work of the Lord continued for a length of time. Some were re- ceived for baptism at almost every meeting."
The Cherokee Indians were quite numerous in that " hill country," and it is understood that Posey preached the gos- pel to them, as he had opportunity, while Judson, Rice, and others, who subsequently became missionaries in the East, were yet students at Williams' College. After Rice returned to America, he became acquainted with Posey, and in the winter of 1817 he opened a correspondence with him in regard to the practicability of missionary operations among those Indians, which resulted in Posey's appointment as mission- ary to the Cherokees. The correspondence between them, and also that between Posey and Dr. Staughton, then Cor- responding Secretary of the Baptist Board of Foreign Mis- sions, is highly interesting, and does credit to all parties, but we have not room for it in this brief sketch. A wide and effect- ual door was thus opened to him, and the long cherished desire of his heart attained-to preach the gospel to the poor Cherokees. All the energies of his great soul were forthwith enlisted in the work, and in the two following years he formed a very general acquaintance with the tribe, and also with the poor whites on the frontier. At a grand council of the chiefs at New Town, in October, 1819, he obtained their hearty consent to establish a school for their benefit at Valley Town. Soon thereafter, he visited Washington City and secured an annual appropriation for said school, by which its efficiency was greatly promoted. He received every encouragement and attention from John C. Calhoun, and other distinguished men of that day. Such was his presence and bearing that he invariably commanded respect from men who were capable of appreciating true nobility. From Washington City he proceeded, on horseback to Philadelphia, (railroads and steamboats were unknown in those days,) where the churches and pastors received him with the utmost cordi-
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ality, and where he awakened the most profound interest for " the poor Cherokees," as he almost invariably styled them. The' Saviour said, "As ye go, preach, saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Posey followed this rule returning from Philadelphia, as well as on his journey thither, and, indeed, on all the journeys he made. As he went, he preached, and thus ex- tended his acquaintance and influence, at the same time that he engaged the hearts and prayers of increasing thousands in be- half of his "poor Cherokees." He renewed his visit to Phila- delphia in 1821, to consult with the Mission Board, and to obtain supplies and assistance for his Valley Town school. He suc- ceeded in obtaining the needed supplies, and engaged several missionaries and assistants to come to his aid: Rev. Thomas Roberts and wife, Rev. Evan Jones and wife, Isaac Cleaver, a blacksmith, John Farrier, a farmer, besides Miss Cleaver and Miss Lewis, who all sailed from that city, laden with clothing for the poor Indian children, and all other things necessary for a large missionary establishment. He continued his connection with this mission until 1824. As some false rumors were circu- lated in regard to the "waste of money and means " at this .school, the French Broad Association, at the request of Mr. Posey, appointed a committee to visit the place and report the true state of the case. Only two of that committee acted, but they reported : "That they had done as they were requested, and found the school in a very flourishing condition, fully up to their highest expectations. That, notwithstanding large sums of money had been expended for the establishment, yet not unnecessarily ; and that they, therefore, do heartily recommend its promotion." The venerable deacon, James Whitaker, corroborates this testimony, and says of Posey : "A more attentive and faithful man could not be found, and the Cherokees universally esteem him as a good man. At the mention of his name, those who still remain in the country will brighten up with a smile on their counte- nances." In 1836, this school is reported in Allen's Register as being in a flourishing condition, " and to this day the Cherokees have more confidence in Humphrey Posey than they have in any other man living." And it can be recorded, in truth, that Posey carried the Cherokees in his heart to the day of his death. Those who heard him preach towards the close of his life, know
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that his allusions to them were frequent and touching. No doubt, many of the red men will be " stars in his crown of re- joicing in that day." How much better to save them by the gospel than to destroy them by the sword.
While on an agency for Valley Town school, in June, 1822, he visited Georgia, and was present at the organization of the General Association of the State, now denominated the Baptist State Convention. Upon leaving Valley Town, in 1824, he re- sided temporarily in some one of the old counties in upper Georgia, and finally located in what was then termed the Cher- okee region of the State, where he designed spending the bal- ance of his life. Here he accepted an agency for Hearn school, an important institution, but then deeply in debt, and likely to be sold out by the sheriff. He was successful in this agency ; relieved the institution of its embarrassments, and it has since enjoyed much prosperity. His first wife lived forty-two years, and was the mother of ten children. She died in Walker county, in 1842. All her children gave evidence of genuine piety. This was, of course, matter of fervent gratitude to God on the part of the parents. He frequently mentioned it as such towards the close of his life. Two years, or thereabouts, after the death. of his first wife, he was married to Mrs. Jane Stokes, of New- nan, Georgia, to which place he removed, and where he termi- nated his earthly course. He served several churches in the vicinity as pastoral supply, to acceptance and profit. Having been appointed at the preceding session of the Western Asso- ciation to preach the missionary sermon before that body, in September, 1846, he came forward on the Lord's day and, with great liberty and power, performed that service: It was the dying effort of a giant mind, and on a subject that lay nearest his heart. Many, now living, cherish the remembrance of that sermon, and will till their latest day. The effort, however, was too much for his failing strength, for that afternoon he was at- tacked with a chill, which was followed by high fever. From that attack he only partially recovered ; his health continued feeble, and after preaching his last sermon at Ebenezer church, Coweta county, on the second Lord's day in December follow- ing, he was again prostrated by disease, and fell asleep in Jesus on the 28th of that month. Death had no terrors for him, but
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was welcomed as God's messenger, sent to release him from the labors of earth and introduce him to the rest and refreshment of heaven. The writer visited the good man's tomb, (which is covered by a neat marble slab, with an appropriate inscription,) in company with several others, some years ago. It is seven miles east of Newnan, in a retired spot. At the request of his son, Rev. Otis Smith delivered a discourse in memory of him in May following, at Newnan, and at the next session of the Western Association, Rev. J. E. Dawson preached a similar sermon. "The memory of the just is blessed."
The writer records it as his deliberate conviction that Hum- phrey Posey was, naturally, one of the greatest men and, for his limited opportunities, one of the greatest preachers he has ever known. His person, his countenance, his voice, the throes of his gigantic mind, the conceptions of his great christian soul-all proclaimed him great. The first time the writer ever saw him was at the Georgia Baptist Convention, at Shiloh church, near Penfield, in 1835. Such men as Mercer, Sanders, Dawson, Thornton, Mallary, Brooks, and others, were there ; but Posey was a giant among them all. Who, that was present, does not remember his sermon on that occasion ? And who, that heard him preach the education sermon at Monroe, Walton county, in 1838, will ever forget it ? Yet his great talents were all consecrated to the glory of God and the good of his fellow- men. Even though our abilities may be far inferior to his, with such as we have, let us " go and do likewise."
JOSHUA S. CALLAWAY,
Was born in Wilkes county, Georgia, May 30th, 1789. He was the fifth child of Joshua and Isabella Graves Callaway. His mother's maiden name was Henderson. At the time of his birth, his parents were members of Hutton's Fork (now Sardis) church, in said county. It was for one of his uncles, Samuel Callaway, that Callaway county, in Kentucky, was named. Another uncle, James Callaway, settled in Virginia and raised a large family. Rev. Jesse Mercer was pastor of Hutton's Fork church. The subject of this brief memoir was impressed with the importance of religion while yet a child, and at the early
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age of eleven, obtained hope in Christ. Though he gave deci- ded evidences of genuine piety, he was discouraged from join- ing the church by his parents and others, most of the chris- tians of those days being prejudiced against young persons making a profession of religion. We give a portion of his re- ligious experience in his own language : "Thus my soul was troubled, because I had sinned, and that I was a sinner against a good and holy God. These troubles, more or less, continued with me until December, 1800. When, one night, I was lying on my bed, afraid to go to sleep, in deep meditation, for fear I should be lost, both soul and body, it did appear to me that I saw a way by which I could be saved, and the way of salvation through Jesus Christ did appear so complete and glorious, I did verily think that any and all might be saved if they would only look to that blessed Saviour. Here my troubles were all ban- ished, and while in my ecstacy and joy, father and mother awoke. They seemed to be alarmed more than otherwise, and, as I had been lingering for some time, they seemed to fear I was going to die right away. But I assured them they need not fear, for I saw that Jesus Christ could save all sinners if they would only come to Him, and as I had great love for my brother-in-law, John Milner,* [who had been . kind in teaching him and others of the family the rudiments of an English edu- cation,] on that memorable night, I told my parents if they would send for him, I knew I could explain to him how he might become a christian. And I did verily believe I could tell him so that he would understand and know for himself. So they sent for him, and I began and told him all about it, so that I thought he must understand. But, alas ! when I had finished, he slowly raised his head, which had been hanging down, and remarked, 'Oh! Joshua, I know nothing about it.' "
It was not until he was in his twentieth year that he re- ceived such encouragement from Rev. Jesse Mercer, with whom he sought an interview, as to induce him to offer to the church. He was baptized by that eminent servant of God into the Sardis church, September 23d, 1809. Of all things in this world he desired an education, yet the only schooling he ever enjoyed was from February to September, 1808, during which time he
*He knew that Milner was serious on the subject of religion.
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enjoyed the instruction of a certain Mr. Walker, of whom he says : "I often heard him say that the English grammar was a cheat, and that some men were trying to impose upon the people, and to my certain knowledge he could not pronounce half the words in Dilworth's Spelling Book correctly. Yet I determined, if God permitted me to live, I would yet know something ; and the first few dollars I got I took to a mer- chant and told him I wanted a book. He readily told me he had the right sort of a book for me, and showed me Euclid's Elements. I immediately bought it, and paid every cent of money I had for it, about four dollars. Many nights I sweated and poured over it until midnight. Thousands of pine-knots did I burn while I gazed on that book." Yet the man who had such poor opportunities in early life, became an eminent minister of the gospel in subsequent years. Joshua S. Callaway was a profound theologian, deeply versed in the doctrines and discipline of the gospel, and an exceedingly interesting and powerful preacher.
In the year 1818 he removed to Jones county and became a member of Sardis church, by which he was called to the work of the ministry, and at her request was ordained in June, 1820, by a presbytery consisting of Edmund Talbot, Benjamin Milner and John M. Gray. He was soon preaching to four churches, and his time and attention were almost wholly engrossed with the duties of the sacred calling. He says he could not have thus given himself up but that he had a pious wife and one faith- ful deacon. She would say to him,." Go and preach, and I will stay at home and work." Of that deacon he says, " There was a noble man of God, a deacon, belonging to Elam church, Jones county, whose name was Thomas Blount. Through his instru- mentality I was able to serve all four of my churches, but with- out whose help I should have been compelled to resign all my churches in order to provide for my family." He bears further honorable testimony to the fidelity and liberality of this dea- con, for whose posterity, to their latest generations, he records his prayer.
He remained in Jones county ten years, or until 1828, when he removed to Henry county. Those ten years seem to have been the happiest portion of his life. Soon after his removal to
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Henry county those dissensions in the denomination arose which resulted in its being divided into the missionary and anti missionary parties. A man of his prominence could not but be involved in those troubles. Circumstances seemed for a time to throw him into the anti-mission ranks. But it was only in appearance, for he soon found opportunity to assert his real sentiments, and under his leadership the Flint River Associa- tion took decided missionary ground, a minority of her churches, under Rev. William Mosely, having withdrawn and formed the Towalagi Association. He was moderator of the Flint River Association about fifteen years in succession immediately pre- ceding his death, and was a model presiding officer. During the early years of his ministry he kept an account of the bap- tisms he performed until it reached upwards of fourteen hundred, when, conceiving the idea that it was wrong to keep such ac- counts, he promptly desisted. For a number of years he rep- resented his Association in the Georgia Baptist Convention, by which body he was highly respected. Indeed, there were few men in that intelligent body of christians who possessed as much weight of character. He spoke seldom, but when he did, he received the most marked attention, especially from the older members. His views were always clear and scriptural, and were expressed in a christian spirit.
J. S. Callaway was a person of slender frame, and from his childhood of exceedingly delicate constitution. He was erect and dignified in his carriage, of pleasant voice and winning address, and an unusully interesting. and persuasive speaker. Though conciliatory in manner, he possessed a strong will, indomitable perseverance and unflinching integrity. His views were strongly Calvinistic, and he knew as well how to sustain them by the scriptures as most men of his day, and that is saying a great deal for him, for he lived in an age of giants. He maintained an unblemished character to the day of his death.
This event, which must happen alike to all, occurred at Jones- boro (where he then resided,) about the year 1854. He was confined to his bed several weeks, during which it was the privilege of the writer to visit him frequently. Of all the in- stances "of the patience of hope and the triumph of faith " which he has witnessed, none have been more striking and glo-
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rious than this. The decease of the apostle who said, " Oh, death, where is thy sting ! oh, grave, where is thy victory !" could scarce have been more triumphant. . All who witnessed that event were constrained to acknowledge that his death was a beautiful commentary on his life and an indubitable confirma- tion of his faith, and that a great man in Israel had fallen.
WILLIAM MOSELY.
This brother, who was quite eminent in that portion of the denomination with which he was identified, was the son of Rev. Elijah Mosely, also an eminent man in his day. They were descendants of English and Welch parentage. William was born in Elbert county, Georgia, October 21st, 1796. His opportunities for education in early life were quite limited, his schooling amounting, in,all, perhaps, to not more than twelve months. Yet, by assiduous application in later years, he in- creased this small stock so as to enable him to write with a good degree of perspicuity and force, and to speak with great fluency and power.
He professed hope in Christ, and was baptized in 1821, where or by whom is not known to the writer, though it is believed to have been in Putnam county, and by bis father. It was not long after his baptism that he entered upon the work of the gospel ministry, in which his zeal and talents soon rendered him quite conspicuous. He rose, as it were, at a bound to the front rank among the ministers of that day. Nature lavished her gifts upon him. Added to a fine and portly person and a commanding presence were a rich and sonorous voice, an easy and flowing elocution. Though his education was so defective, he never seemed at a loss for a word, and, when fully under the inspiration of his subject, he was sometimes powerfully elo- quent, and was generally interesting. His sermons were fre- quently two hours in length, and sometimes three hours, yet his audiences seldom showed weariness, and never inattention. As was the custom of the times, he made tours among the churches which usually occupied several weeks, and in which he was accompanied by some other preacher. They generally both preached daily, having two sermons without intermission
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in each church they visited, and sometimes having night mee ings at private houses. Mr. Mosely almost invariably attract‹ large congregations on these tours. He and Rev. James He derson, of Jasper county, a man of good natural ability, thoug not the equal of Moseley, often made such tours in compan: It is said he was instrumental in bringing many to a savin knowledge of the truth, and that the churches which he serve as pastor enjoyed much prosperity.
. His talents proved a snare to him in one respect at least. I the midst of his successful career as a preacher, he suffere himself to become involved in politics. He wrote for the paper: made "stump speeches," ran for the Legislature several terms and once for Congress. His career as a politician began in 184( m In 1843 he was elected to the Senate of the State Legislature In 1846 he was run for Congress against a popular and talenter man, General Hugh A. Haralson, and lacked only a few vote of being elected, though his opponent was on the strong sid (the Democratic,) in the District. After this he was severa times a member of the Georgia Legislature, in one branch o1 the other. He maintained a respectable stand as a statesman and was prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties. Hd seemed to have acquired quite a thirst for popular favor, which as of course injured him in his character and influence as a min- ister of the gospel. No matter what a man's talents may be, he cannot be preacher and politician at the same time without detriment to his clerical standing. He finally " broke down " aste a politician, while his influence as a minister of the gospel had been sadly impaired.
Though his father was an ardent and-zealous advocate of the fa missionary cause and kindred objects, Mosely seems, from an early period of his public career, to have taken a decided stand against all such things. And when, from 1830 to 1840, the de- nomination in this State separated into the missionary and 1b anti-missionary parties, he took sides with the latter, and maintained his position to a late period of life. He seemed ft honestly to believe that he and his party were " Old-side Bap- ℃ tists," by which title he generally designated. them. Under this conviction, at the session of the Flint River Association at Holly Grove church, Monroe county, in 1837, he withdrew from
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that body, carrying fifteen churches with him, which were con- ratelstituted into an Association called the Towaliga, at County. HerCine church, July, 1838. For twenty-five years or more these Bough; wo bodies have stood aloof from each other. The Flint made panone or two overtures for correspondence, but the brethren of savin the Towaliga seem not to have been ready. It is gratifying, errehowever, to add that negotiations for peace and christian cor- respondence are now progressing and have been for a twelve- t. Ifnonth past, with encouraging prospects of success. The Tow- Here liga has recinded the "Thirteenth Article " of her creed, by apers which she had declared non-fellowship with all human institu- ermstions, as benevolent societies are generally termed by anti- 1540 mission Baptists. It will be a happy day for the Baptists of he South when these divisions shall all have been healed.
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