USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 34
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In October, 1830, he was married to Miss Nancy Strickland, daughter of Colonel Solomon Strickland, of Henry county, who proved herself eminently qualified for the position she was called to occupy as a preacher's wife, and as the mother of six orphan children, which were left upon her hands by his death. With some assistance from the Central Association, which she received for several consecutive years, she succeeded in com- fortably maintaining and educating her children, who all proved themselves worthy of the excellent parentage from which they descended, being highly deserving citizens.
Mr. James was rather above the ordinary height, of an open, benignant countenance, possessed a voice of great compass and power, a fluent and ready delivery, and was, taken altogether, a most fascinating speaker and a powerful preacher.
JOHN H. MILNER.
It is matter of sincere regret that, for want of materials, so little can be recorded of this excellent man. If all the facts of his useful life, or any considerable portion of them, could be gathered up, they would doubtless form an entertaining and instructive volume. But, like most men of his day, he kept no record of his labors, so that we are left with the merest outline of his arduous life.
He was born in Wilkes county, Georgia, July 24th, 1792, and died at his residence in Pike county, March 9th, 1857, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. He was the subject of strong re- ligious impressions in early youth, and was hopefully converted and baptized by Rev. Jesse Mercer into the fellowship of the
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Sardis church, in his native county, in the sixteenth year of his age, of which church he was elected clerk soon thereafter. In the winter of 1816 and 1817, he removed, with his family, to Jones county, where he remained until 1824. His next re- moval was to Monroe county, where he became a member of Rocky Creek church, then under the pastoral care of that emi- nent and successful minister of Christ, Rev. John M. Gray. Towards the close of the great revival, which commenced in 1827 and continued more than two years, (the most memorable that has ever occurred in the State,) Mr. Milner was licensed to preach the gospel, viz .: in the early part of 1829. With the zeal of the Apostolic days, he threw himself into the glorious work then in progress, preaching from house to house; among his neighbors, and wherever an effectual door was opened to him. God gave him seals to his ministry from the first, and many were brought into the fold through his instrumentality.
He was ordained at Shiloh church, Monroe county, in May, 1835, by a presbytery consisting of John Ross, Jonathan Nich- ols, Joseph Chipman and John Milner. In December of that year, he removed to Pike county, where he spent the remainder of his exemplary and useful life, restricting his labors mostly to that county, and to Monroe and Meriwether, though he oc- casionally sallied out into the regions around. No man was more noted for punctuality. He carried this habit-or virtue, as it deserves to be called-into all his arrangements, whether so- cial, religious or secular. Nothing but some providential inter- ference prevented his attention to family worship, to his church meetings, or to any business engagement with his fellow-men ; and he was always there at the appointed time. Surely his example, in this respect, is worthy of imitation. What a world of trou- ble would be prevented if all men, or even if all ministers, would govern themselves by the same rule ! He believed the " strong doctrines of grace," as they are called, which are taught in the scriptures, and which he had learned from Mercer, Marshall and others, under whose preaching he was brought up. He had a heart ever aglow with warm, practical benevolence, which flowed out in streams, not only to the needy around him, but also to the heathen, even to the ends of the earth. He ever felt the deepest interest in the cause of missions, especially of
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foreign missions. The poor Indian's excited his sympathies and called forth his fervent prayers. Yet no man possessed a more stern and inflexible character. No man was more firmly fixed in what he considered the principles of truth and righteousness than he. Faithfully did he serve his family, his generation and his God.
At his own request, repeatedly made, both privately and pub- licly, his family had inscribed on his tombstone the words, "A sinner saved by grace." His death was sudden, resulting from a violent attack of sickness, of less than twenty-four hours con- tinuance, his last sermon having been preached only two days previously. He died triumphantly, with his armor on. Oh ! what a glorious death ! The author has a most vivid recollection of the last interview he had with John H. Milner. It was the clos- ing scene of the Flint River Association, at Griffin, the fall pre- ceding his death, the exercises of which were conducted by him. He seemed to have a presentiment that his end was at hand ; and that address, and that prayer-those trembling tones, and those weeping eyes, left impressions not soon to be obliterated.
JOHN W. COOPER.
Elder John W. Cooper was born in Henry county, Virginia, January 17th, 1783, and, with the family, removed to Wilkes county, Georgia, in 1786. He united with the old Ebenezer church, and was baptized by Elder Jesse Mercer in 1805 ; some time afterwards, his membership was removed to Rehoboth church. In the winter of 1825 he removed to Monroe county, Georgia ; was a member of the Mount Pleasant church, where he was ordained as a minister of the gospel in 1826, Elder Davis Smith being one of the presbytery. In the winter of 1828 he removed to Harris county, Georgia, being one of the earliest settlers, which was soon after the purchase of the territory, from the Indians, lying between the Flint and Chattahoochee rivers. In a few months after this, he aided in the constitution of Sardis church, in the western part of the county, which was one of the first churches organized west of Flint river. He aided in the constitution of most of the churches in that im- mediate section of the State, as also in that which lay opposite
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in Alabama. He was a prime and active mover in the organi- zation of the Western Association, of which he was elected moderator in 1841, the introductory sermon of which session was preached by Elder. Jesse Moon, the father of Miss Lottie Moon, now a missionary to China. He was re-elected annually, until his removal to Houston county, in the winter of 1848, and if my information be correct, was elected that year by acclama- tion, being the last session of that body he ever attended. He was present at the Georgia Baptist Convention in Marietta, in 1850, at which the illness that ended his life began. Returning home quite indisposed, he went to the monthly meeting of what was then Sandridge, now Factory church, Houston county, the first Sabbath in May, 1850, where he preached his last sermon. He died May 30th, 1850, with an abiding faith in the Saviour, whose glorious gospel he had preached more than forty years, his last words being, "O, that I could live to warn sinners !"
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The education of the subject of this sketch was very limited. In his early life, neither means nor facilities were at his com- mand. As a minister, the Bible was almost his only book of study, and with it, as was common with Baptist preachers in his day, he was very familiar. His views were not warped by the sayings of men; while he was solid as a rock in the doc- trines of grace and the ordinances of the gospel, and never compromised with error, he was never rash. In Western Geor- gia, where he spent most of his ministerial life, be abounded in labors. So far as remembered, he was never without four churches, and not unfrequently, to'attend some of them, it re- quired from Friday morning till Monday night. It was rare, indeed, he ever failed to meet his appointments. As was not uncommon in those early times, he frequently made tours of preaching to destitute sections and regions beyond. His preach- ing was without much method, always abounding in scriptural language, truth and illustration. He was of tender heart, often affected to tears. His labors were greatly blessed, and large churches were built up under his ministry. One of his sons says that a prayer meeting was held in a private house, at which began a work of great power. The meeting was re- moved to old Mountain Creek church, near which he lived, and continued, without interruption, forty-five days, during which
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one hundred and sixty-three persons were added to the church, and that, too, when the country was thinly settled.
Though rather emotional, he did not approve of noisy meet- ings. It is worthy of note, however, that on one occasion he was the subject of what was adjudged an unusual measure of the Holy Spirit's influence. It occurred at Beech Spring church,
, where he was aiding Elder George Granberry in a meeting of much interest. He had preached at the forenoon service, at the close of which his family physician observed a peculiar appear- ance of countenance, and insisted that he should go into the open air, which he declined, further than taking a seat upon the door-steps. In a moment, he began clapping his hands gently, and expressing himself as being very happy. He ex-
horted every unrenewed person whom he saw, and at the house of a precious man, (Deacon Joel Hood,) he had every servant called to the bed upon which he lay, and urged upon them im- mediate repentance. The clapping of hands, (which seemed involuntary,) and the talking continued, without a moment's interruption, until a late hour of the night, when " tired na- ture " succumbed to sleep. In the morning he was quite re- stored, and said the whole affair seemed as a dream. The writer witnessed the entire scene. He received but little for preaching. It is probable he never mentioned money to a church. I have heard him say a church to which he preached many years, and was not less than fifteen miles distant from him, never paid him enough to shoe his horse. At another, an old brother was approached .by one of the deacons, who replied, " It is as much his business to preach as it is mine to go and hear ;" and, doubtless, not a few are possessed with a like sen- timent to-day.
His habits of industry and regularity would have secured him an abundance of this world's goods had he given himself to their acquisition. But he " chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treas- ures of the world." As a man, he always enjoyed the entire confidence of his acquaintances, which confidence was never abused. He paid his debts, was peaceable in society, never shirked responsibility, lived and died without a stain upon his
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character. As a christian, he was prayerful-walked by faith rather than by sight-without pretension wholly, and with the exception named above, his religious life was even, and his end peace.
Rev. George F. Cooper, of Americus, one of the best and ablest men in the State, is a son of his.
J. H. T. KILPATRICK.
James Hall Tanner Kilpatrick, for about fifty-two years a minister of the gospel, was a native of North Carolina. He was born June 24th, 1793, in Iredell county, on the Yadkin river, seven miles northwest of Statesville. His ancestors were Scotch-Irish. They emigrated to this country two or three gen- erations before, and settled in what was then known as the " Jer- sey settlements." They were descendants of the old Covenan- ters, so famous in Scottish history ; and, as might have been expected, were Calvinistic Presbyterians of the strictest sort.
The immediate parents of Mr. Kilpatrick were Andrew Kil- patrick and Jane Nichols. They had ten children, and he whose life and labors now claim our notice was one of twin sons, the last children born to the parents, their mother dying within five days of their birth. Near the family residence was a Pres- byterian church, by the name of Bethany, of which both parents were members, and the father a ruling elder. Here, in due time, the motherless little ones were carried, in order to do for them after the custom of the law of their fathers. Dr. James Hall, the regular pastor of the church, was the officiating min- ister. He was, at that time, somewhat advanced in life, and without children. So, before the so-called baptism, he proposed to the father that one of the twins be named for himself, prom- ising to assume the responsibility and expense of his education. As the doctor was held in very high regard by the whole fam- ily, consent was readily given ; and when the babes were brought forward, the subject of this sketch was chosen by him, and was accordingly named James Hall. The other was called Andrew, for his father.
He began going to school when quite young. His first teach . er was a Mr. Ephraim Pharr, from whom he learned the ordi-
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nary English rudiments. A little incident of his early school life may not be devoid of interest: It was the custom of his teacher, after Dilworth's Spelling Book was completed, to take up the New Testament, in connection with the shorter Cate- chism, requiring so many questions to be learned every night, and recited the following morning. This task he so faithfully performed that he was soon promoted to the Bible. And as he was on his way to school, the morning after his promotion, carrying quite a large Bible, (and he was still wearing frocks, not having been dignified with breeches) he was caught up and weighed, Bible and all, and the weight was just thirty-two two pounds.
His first Latin school was taught by Rev. Thomas Hall, a nephew of Dr. James Hall. Thence he went to Dr. Joseph D. Kilpatrick, a cousin of his, who taught at Salisbury, in Rowan county, and next to Dr. Robertson, who taught the Poplar-tent Academy, in Cabarrus county.
Favored with these excellent facilities, young Kilpatrick made fine progress. His very proficiency, however, became the un- expected occasion of an obstacle in the way of further advance- ment. It appears that Dr. Hall, who up to this time had been bearing all the expenses of his education, had written, at some time, an English grammar. This grammar, either as text-book, or otherwise, came under the review of Dr. Hill's protege. The future man was foreshadowed in the youthful critic. His keen eye detected inaccuracies in the work, and he was incau- tious enough to expose them. His criticisms reached the ear of the now aged doctor-he became deeply offended, and from that time, declined to render his namesake any further assis- tance.
For a brief period his educational prospects seemed quite dark. His father did not feel able to continue him at a classi- cal school, and no other would meet the wants of his growing mind. Though scarcely seventeen, he decided to strike out for himself, and as best he might, make his way on in the further · advancement of his education. He very soon opened a school near the State line, his patrons being about equally divided be- tween Lincoln county, North Carolina, and York District, South Carolina. He taught here one year. Teaching others,
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he taught himself-his own education was made more thorough, and thus a better foundation secured for the future superstrue- ture. The next year he repaired to the Wellington Academy, Abbeville Distriet, South Carolina, then taught by Dr. Moses Waddell. Here, under the guidance of this renowned instruc- tor of Southern youth, he continued for a year, pursuing his studies in the higher branches of learning, paying for his board and tuition, in whole or in part, by services rendered as assis- tant.
After this year, Mr. Kilpatrick, though not yet nineteen, en- tered fully upon the active duties of life. A number of the young men in Dr. Waddell's school were from Natehez, Mis- sissippi ; and some of these desiring to return home about this time, he determined to go with them, and try his fortune in the far West.
At that time, most of the country between the Oeonee river, Georgia, and the Mississippi, was a trackless wilderness, inhab- ited only by Indians, and they were, then, in open rupture with the United States Government. A number of murders and other outrages had been committed already ; all travel had ceased, exeept under the protection of a military force, and Mr. Kilpatrick and his young companions were earnestly and re- peatedly advised to desist from the hazardous undertaking. Nevertheless, they resolved to make the venture, having an old Indian trader for their guide. The presence of this trader, who was familiar with the Indian peculiarities, and, withal, had a large personal acquaintance among them, and was highly esteemed, doubtless saved the whole party from destruction. As it was, they made some narrow escapes. Among their number was a young man of fiery spirit, some of whose near relatives had but recently been murdered. His rashness came near, on several occasions, precipitating a collision, which, of course, would have ended in the death of the last one of them. Mr. Kilpatrick often alluded to this rash venture of his youth, and always with expressions of gratitude to God.
Having made his way safely through to Natchez, he remained there a short time with a friend of his, Mr. Alexander Pannell. Thenee he went to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Here, as princi- pal of the Baton Rouge Academy, just then established, he
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taught for about two years. From this place, he went to Nat- chitoches, where he opened a fine school, composed mostly of French and Spanish youth, who, besides the ordinary branches, wished especially to be taught the English language. He re- mained here until the British moved upon New Orleans. When that event occurred, the militia were ordered out en masse, and his school being largely made up of grown young men, was well nigh broken up. Though, as a school-teacher, he was not compelled to go, yet, desiring to share the fortunes of his pupils and his neighbors, as well as to serve his country, he promptly volunteered, and received the office of Orderly Ser- geant in the company of Captain Bloodgood. In this capacity, he served through the campaign around New Orleans, in the winter of 1814 and 1815, being present at the ever-memorable ' battle of the 8th of January, 1815.
On his return from the army, he was taken very ill at Ope- lousas, of camp fever, and to all human appearance came near to death. God, however, had a work for him to do. He was soon to enter upon the hardships, conflicts and triumphs of a more glorious campaign than the one through which he had just passed. He was kept in life, and after three months, was so far restored to health that he went over to a new settlement on Bayou Beoff, called Cheneyville, and composed mostly of re- cent emigrants from Beaufort District, South Carolina. Here he opened a school and taught several years. And here, Feb- ruary 2d, 1816, he was married to Sarah Adeline Tanner, one of his pupils, and daughter of Robert Tanner, Esq., a citizen of Cheneyville.
While residing in this place, he was brought for the first time in close contact with the Baptists. A little Baptist church had been organized here a short time before, under the labors of Revs. Ezekiel O'Quinn and Isham Nettles. Mr. Tanner, who subsequently became Mr. Kilpatrick's father-in-law, was a member of this church, and with him Mr. Kilpatrick had boarded from the time of his first coming among them. As these ministers often visited Mr. Tanner's family, of course he formed their acquaintance. As was natural, the subject of bap- tism sometimes came up for friendly, social discussion. Now, he had been raised among the Presbyterians, and had always
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accepted, without scruple or question, the scripturalness of their tenets, and was particularly prejudiced against the Bap- tists as an ignorant and bigoted sect. Of course, then, in these fireside discussions he espoused with all the ardor of his nature the pædo-Baptist side, and, being much better educated, was generally able to confuse and entangle his opponents. He soon became aware, however, as he afterwards confessed, that there was more truth on the Baptist side than he had hitherto sup- posed. During the year, and after his marriage, Mr. Kilpat- rick was hopefully converted. The question of baptism now became a practical one. Before, he was simply the partisan, anxious to defend the faith of his childhood-now, he is the humble inquirer, seeking after the right way. Was the baptism which he had received in unconscious infancy the baptism of God's word, or was it the invention of man ? His appeal was to the New Testament. He studied it carefully and prayer- fully, not to find arguments to support a system, but to find out the truth and the whole truth. As may be expected from such an investigation, he came to the firm conviction that in- fant baptism and sprinkling, or pouring, for baptism, are all alike utterly unknown to the word of God. His course was decided by his convictions. He joined the little Baptist church in Cheneyville, and was baptized by Ezekiel O'Quinn on Sun- day, June 22d, 1817. Very soon after uniting with the church he began to preach the gospel, and on the 24th of August was licensed to preach. The date of his ordination is not known. In 1817, he had the privilege of assisting in the organization of the first Baptist Association beyond the Mississippi river-he being chosen the first clerk.
In 1818, he gave up his school at Cheneyville and took charge of the Jackson Academy, in Amite county, Mississippi. He here had a very flourishing school, composed mostly of young men, many of whom finished their academical studies under his instruction. Though quite an inviting field for usefulness, both as a teacher and a minister, opened before him in Missis- sippi, yet he remained only one year, being persuaded to return to Louisiana. Accordingly, he moved back to that State, and took charge of the Academy at Alexandria, at the same time preaching to one or two churches.
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Mr. Kilpatrick's labors in Alexandria were brought to a su( den and sad termination by the death of his wife. She die November 5th, 1820, at the birth of her second child, and she an her little one were buried in the same grave. Her first child, + son, Andrew Robert Kilpatrick, still survives, and is, at thi writing, a physician of eminence in the State of Texas. He maiden name, it will be remembered, was Tanner, and this ac counts for the T. in Mr. Kilpatrick's well known initials. Upor her death, according to an inheritance law then existing ir Louisiana, as well, perhaps, as in accordance with his own wisl to keep in remembrance the beloved companion of his youth he adopted the name of Tanner and retained it through life.
The light of his household being extinguished, and business in connection with his father's estate (who had died in 1813, calling him to North Carolina, he determined, temporarily, at least, to leave Louisiana and visit the home of his childhood But God was designing to send his servant to another and a broader field of usefulness. He never lived in Louisiana again. On his way to North Carolina, he concluded to go by Beaufort District, South Carolina, to see and form the acquaintance of his late wife's relatives, the Roberts, Lawtons, Gillisons and others, in and near Robertville. As he traveled, he preached from time to time, sending on, as well as he could, appoint- ments in advance. The Indians, were still all over the country, but then there were numerous settlements of whites along his route, to whom the visit of the traveling minister was highly acceptable.
As he approached Robertville he sent on no more appoint- ments, but went unannounced. He reached the village just after night-fall, and was directed to the house of a leading Bap- tist, perhaps a deacon. On riding up to the gate, he saw by the moonlight a man walking back and forth, rather hurriedly, on the piazza. As soon as he hailed, the man walked quickly to the steps, and accosting him in a familiar and friendly tone, t said, " Light, light, I am very glad that you have come ; I've ] been waiting and watching for you for some time." Mr. Kil- patrick, much surprised, dismounted, remarking, however, “I am sorry to disappoint you, sir ; but you are mistaken as to who I am. I am an entire stranger to you, having never met
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you before." "No matter, my brother," he replied, "I know you, and am very glad to see you." After entering the house and coming to the light, the man was asked to explain himself. He replied substantially as follows : " Our pastor, Rev. Heze- kiah A. Boyd, has just been compelled to leave us on account of his wife's health. We know not how long he will be absent from us, and we are very anxious to supply his place. I myself have been very earnestly praying God to send us a suitable person. Last night I had a plain view of yourself in my sleep, I was impressed that you were the man whom God intended to send us, and, moreover, that you would soon come. And as soon as I saw you ride up to the gate, I recognized you as the very person whom I had seen, and I felt that God had, sure enough, sent us a preacher. And now, sir, are you not a Bap- tist preacher ? Mr. Kilpatrick confessed, of course, that he was a Baptist and a preacher, but added that he was on his way to North Carolina, and only designed to stay in that place a few days, or a few weeks at furthest. The other spoke con- fidently, saying he was perfectly satisfied that God had heard his prayer and had sent them a supply. Well, let the good deacon's vision be what it might, it was actually fulfilled. Mr. Kilpatrick, yielding to the importunities of the people, con- sented to remain. The visit to North Carolina was postponed indefinitely. And here, as supply to the Black Swamp church, and as missionary to some of the surrounding country, he con- tinued for about twelve months, his labors being, perhaps, more largely blessed than during any other one year of his ministry.
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