USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 35
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The unexpected detention at Robertville was one link in the chain of providences which finally brought Mr. Kilpatrick to Georgia. In the fall of that year, he attended the Savannah River Association, and there made the acquaintance of Jesse Mercer and Elisha Perryman. Meeting with these Georgia ministers opened the way for a preaching tour through some of the counties of that State. While on this trip, he preached at Buckhead' church, in Burke county, then under the care of John Stanford. Here he met Miss Harriet Eliza Jones, a lady of wealth, refinement and great piety. She had refused many excellent offers of marriage, having determined to live a life of celibacy, and devote her money, her time and her labor to the
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promotion of religion and the relief of the poor and distressed. She knew nothing of Mr. Kilpatrick-had scarcely heard his name, but when he rose in the pulpit to begin the service, she was almost overwhelmed with her feelings, for, as she after- wards said, she was powerfully impressed with the belief that the strange minister before her was to be her husband. And so it was : they were married June 23d, 1822.
After Mr. Kilpatrick's marriage, he determined to make Geor- gia his future home, and accordingly settled in Burke county, about fourteen miles south of Waynesboro'. Subsequently, for the sake of health, he removed his family to the county of Rich- mond, about fourteen miles south of Augusta. His planting in- terests still remained in Burke. Coming into Georgia, of course he was an entire stranger, but his genial disposition, refined manners, together with the high social position of his wife, constituted a happy introduction to the community and the surrounding country. Besides, he embraced frequent opportu- nities of enlarging his acquaintance in the denomination by attending the Associations, general meetings, and other gather- ings of his brethren, at once identifying himself, both in sym- pathy and in effort, with the Mercers, the Brantlys, and other noble spirits of that generation, and at once taking a high posi- tion among them.
Mr. Kilpatrick's immediate and special field of labor lay within the bounds of the Hephzibah Association. Here he worked the most, here he worked the hardest, and here he achieved his most signal successes. In 1822, he was present, for the first time, at one of the annual sessions of this body, the meeting being that year at Rocky Creek church. He was pres- ent only as a spectator; and, truly, there was much to be seen, which was not at all suited to impress his mind favorably with reference to his future work. The Association was at this time bitterly anti-missionary. For several years, their hostility to missions had been increasing. In 1819, it was "agreed not to correspond " any more " with the Foreign Mission Society," or Board. In 1821, a letter was presented from this Board, but a " majority of the brethren refused to have it read." The pres- ent year, (1822) another letter was presented, and this time by the hands of that prince of refinement and christian courtesy,
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the elder William T. Brantly, then pastor of the Augusta Bap- tist church. So far from being willing to have the letter read, they would not let it even lie on the table, but actually threw it under the table .. When the proposition to throw the letter under the table was put, the vote was taken by rising, and one brother, (who, by the way, was quite large and heavy,) to show the heartiness of his approbation, not only rose to his feet, but, wonderful to tell, leaped from the floor, coming down flat-footed, with all his weight, making a tremendous noise, and jarring every plank and beam of the frail tenement where they were sitting. The vote being taken, the letter was forthwith thrown under the table ; and the one who performed this duty, dashed it to the floor with as much vehemence and venom as if it had been a missive from the lower regions. But the scene was not yet over: the letter under the table, another brother, or per- haps the same one who had just given such a remarkable vote, felt called upon to give Dr. Brantly a lecture, telling him, among other things, that he was engaged in a low, mean, sneak- ing business; that this missionary abomination was like a cat with nine lives-they thought they had killed it! and killed it ! and killed it ! and, lo! here it had come poking up again ! but now they had made sure work of it, and that if he knew what was for his good, he would leave, and never show himself in that body again. During this denunciation, the speaker was flourishing, in a very threatening manner, a large, knotted, hickory stick, oftentimes bringing it almost down to Brantly's head.
The foregoing is not overdrawn, the writer confesses himself unable to recall fully the exceedingly graphic details as he has frequently heard them from Mr. Kilpatrick's own lips.
The reader may well suppose that after such an exhibition ' as this, Mr. Kilpatrick would certainly have given up the Heph- zibah Association as a hopeless case. Not so, however, he de- termined, by God's help, to win them back to the old paths. He was satisfied that many of these opposers of missions were christians, and he knew that all christians are missionary in heart. His first work was to become acquainted with the peo- ple and preach to them the gospel in its entirety. He thus hoped to secure a base for further operations.
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When the Association met next year, he was there as a dele- gate from the Buckhead church. He at once identified himself with them, being appointed upon various committees, and re- ceiving appointment as correspondent to various sister Associa- tions. When the time came to appoint the preacher for the next introductory sermon, he received the position. And the next year rolling round, he presented a powerful discourse upon the doctrine of justification, particularly referring to the apparent antagonism between James and Paul, and, of course, taking occasion to show the importance of good works, and the relation of human instrumentality to the progress of the gospel. In the meantime, publicly and privately, he was en- deavoring to enlighten the minds of the people with reference to missions, but in such a way as to excite no needless opposi- tion or prejudice. He mingled freely with the people at their firesides and at their churches particularly, directing their minds to the fact that while God has purposes which he will most assuredly accomplish, he works through human agency.
From time to time, he had the satisfaction of seeing one and another coming over to the truth. Some, indeed, had been all the time favorable to missions, but they had not the cour- age to take a decided stand that way. Having a leader and a spokesman, they now became more bold. About this time (1825,) Joshua Key joined the church at Brushy creek, Burke county, and was soon thereafter licensed to preach, and in 1826 was ordained. He warmly espoused the mission cause, and was thenceforth one of Mr. Kilpatrick's warmest friends and most zealous coadutors. In 1825, thinking, perhaps, that the time had come for a demonstration, Mr. Kilpatrick induced the Buckhead church, and through Mr. Key, the Brushy creek church, to send up petitions to the Association to the effect that they "send messengers to the General Association, to view their order," etc. Being, however, providentially called away to Louisiana, he was unable to be present when the Association met, and the petitions were summarily rejected. Not only this, but taking advantage of his absence, and having an eye to his future movements, the opposition endeavored to checkmate him by inserting into the decorum the following :
" This Association shall have no right to correspond by letter
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or messenger with any General Association or committee, mis- sionary society or board. Any brother moving either, of the above subjects in this body shall be considered in disorder, and therefor reproved by the moderator." This was certainly car- rying matters with a high hand.
On returning home and learning what had been done, noth- ing daunted, he immediately set to work to repair the damage. By the setting of the next Association in 1826, he had succeeded in getting so many of the churches to ask for the rescinding of the objectionable article, that it was done by a decisive ma- jority. A short while after this, perhaps in 1827 or 1828, Mr. Kilpatrick wrote his "Plain Dialogue on Missions." It was intended primarily and principally for the Hephzibah Associa- tion. On being published, however, it was found to meet such a general want throughout the country, that it was adopted by the General Tract Society as one of its tracts, and was subse- quently incorporated in a volume, entitled the "Baptist Man- ual," along with tracts and standard pieces from Andrew Fuller, Booth, Pengilly, and others. This "Plain Dialogue" was an efficient co-worker in the good cause, exerting a most salutary influence upon the pious and candid wherever it was read.
The various means and efforts were so far successful, that in 1830 "it was decided by a large majority that we,visit the brethren of the Convention at their next meeting, as specta- tors." The next year, having heard the report of the brethren who went to the Convention, the Association passed the follow- ing: "Resolved, unanimously, that this Association correspond by letter with the Baptist General Convention." In 1835 the Association met at Rocky creek, the very church where thir- teen years before such extravagant anti-mission demonstrations were witnessed. At this meeting a resolution was passed rec- ommending the churches to take into serious consideration the propriety of joining the Convention, and to report at the next session. The churches reported as requested, and it was re- solved, " That this Association become a component member of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia."
Thus, after years of labor and trial, Mr. Kilpatrick had the sat- isfaction of seeing this old Association brought into cheerful co- operation with their brethren in other parts of the State. Dur-
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ing the progress of the afore-recited struggle, he as the leader, was compelled to encounter much bitter personal opposition ; the prejudices of the poor and ignorant were often arrayed against him. Often misunderstood, as a consequence, he was often mis- represented. Brethren, who afterwards became his friends and supporters, confessed that they once thought they were doing God service in trying to put him down. A single illustration : Once during this time, while out on a preaching excursion, he called to stay all night at a house where he was not known. On announcing his name, the man of the house exclaimed, " What! are you the Kilpatrick who is going about preaching such abominable doctrines, and doing so much mischief to the churches ?" And was clearly unwilling to receive him, but finally consented. During the evening, Mr. Kilpatrick so di- rected the conversation as measurably to disarm the prejudices of his well-meaning but ignorant brother ; so much so that, be- fore retiring, he was asked to lead the devotions of the family, and the request was repeated the next morning. These oppor- tunities were, of course, well improved. In short, before the visit terminated, the victory was complete. Just as he was about to leave, the man said to him, " Brother Kilpatrick," (he would not brother him at first,) " did you know that when you called yesterday, I felt like I would just as soon have a rattle- snake to enter my house as for you to do it ? "
Almost coincident in time, and also in respect to the parties engaged, was Mr. Kilpatrick's struggle on the temperance ques- tion. He found that the opposers of missions were almost in- variably opposers of temperance. He had, therefore, all along, to fight a kind of double battle, against a double enemy --- anti- temperance and anti-missions-depraved appetites on the one hand, and on the other, covetousness and anti-nomianism. A. faithful record of his experience in this department of moral effort would furnish an interesting and even thrilling story. Suffice it to say, that while he did not oppose the various secret temperance organizations which, from time to time, sprang up, he did not join any of them. . He worked through the churches, and the New Testament furnished the weapons of his warfare. Moreover, recognizing the potency of a good example, and find- ing, very early in the struggle, that total abstinence was the
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safest ground, and most consistent with the christian profession, as well as most favorable for successful effort against the enemy, he promptly established himself upon it. Whether he con- demned the use of ardent spirits as a medicine, is not remem- bered; so far as his own family was concerned, he most certainly never used it. As for himself, for the space of forty years, it is supposed not one drop of the article ever passed his lips, and even in his last illness, when stimulants were deemed necessary, he utterly refused this. And, as a proof of his success in keep- ing it out of his family, it may be mentioned that he raised children to manhood and womanhood who knew not the taste, looks or smell of ardent spirits of any kind.
Mr. Kilpatrick was eminently fitted to obey the injunction, " earnestly contend for the faith." This seemed to be his special gift, and he found ample opportunity to exercise it. During all the period of his active ministry, he was the universally recog- nized defender of Baptist faith and practice for a very large scope of country, embracing some of the oldest settled, weal- thiest and most influential portions of the State.
No sooner was the anti-mission and anti-temperance war over, and perhaps before the din of arms had entirely ceased, than there arose a new trouble. The prophet of Bethany, Alexander Campbell, had been for some time scattering over the country his peculiar notions. Mr. Kilpatrick's discerning eye quickly. pierced the dextrously-wrought disguise, and discovered the true features of the so-called " christian system." And so vig- orously and wisely did he combat the heresy, that, although some of their strongest men were working against him, so far as the Hephzibah Association was concerned, the vaunted re- formation met a signal defeat. His efforts in the Hephzibah were nobly seconded in other parts of the State. Able and faithful men everywhere stood up valiantly for the truth. And as the result of the whole, under God, the Georgia churches were almost entirely preserved from the inroads of this plausi- ble but dangerous delusion. When we behold what sad conse- quences have ensued elsewhere, we bless God for raising up such men.
This sketch would not be complete without noticing, briefly at least, Mr. Kilpatrick's connection with the baptismal contro-
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versy. All gospel ministèrs find more or less occasion to discuss the subject of baptism. Peculiar circumstances made this pe- culiarly his duty. For a long series of years, he was the only Baptist minister in the region of country where he labored who had been favored with a classical education. If he had remained silent, the cause must have suffered. But he was not silent. As opportunity offered, publicly and privately, he boldly and successfully contended for the faith. His reputation in this re- spect, however, is chiefly associated with a controversy which took place in 1842 and 1843. In July, 1842, at a general meet- ing, he preached a sermon, the greater part of which was on baptism. This sermon, both by its original delivery, as well as its subsequent publication, having produced quite 'a stir in cer- tain quarters, the Quarterly Conference of the Methodist Epis- copal church, for the Burke circuit, requested Mr. J. J. Triggs, one of their leading ministers, to answer it. His reply was forthwith masterly reviewed by Mr. Kilpatrick, and the subject still further discussed. Mr. Triggs having ventured another reply, Mr. Kilpatrick again took up his pen, going over the whole ground and discussing the subject more exhaustively than ever. This ended the controversy ; its good effects, how- ever, still live. All that Mr. Kilpatrick published, in the ser- mon and the two reviews, would make quite a volume.
Lack of space prevents a further account, in detail, of Mr. Kilpatrick's useful life. We might notice his connection with the Baptist educational interests of Georgia. In 1829, at Mil- ledgeville, he, in conjunction with Mercer, Sanders, Sherwood and others, promptly raised the $2,500 00 necessary to secure the Penfield legacy ; this was the inception of Mercer Univer- sity. The last considerable benefaction of his life was the do- nation of lands upon which to locate the Hephzibah High School. We might speak, also, of his connection with the Bap- tist State Convention, upon whose sessions, as representative of the Hephzibah Mission Society, he was a faithful and valued attendant, up to the time of getting his Association to join that body. From this time, for various reasons, his attendance was not regular, though occasionally he was present, even up to old age. And we might mention his labors in other Associations, particularly the Middle, lying south of the Hephzibah, when,
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S in connection with the devoted M. N. McCall, he was mainly instrumental in rescuing those.churches from the meshes of the anti-mission schism; but space forbids more than these brief 0 d notes. As showing, however, how large a proportion of the business of his own immediate Association centered upon and around him, the following incomplete summary is introduced : In 1824, the first year after joining the body, he preached the introductory sermon, and in 1829, both preached the introduc- tory and wrote the circular letter. In 1832, and, also, in 1836 he preached the introductory. In 1835, the Association began the mission sermon on Sunday, he receiving the first appointment. In 1839, he preached the mission sermon, and again in 1842. In 1843, the circular; in 1844, the introductory ; in 1847, the cir- cular and the introductory ; in 1848, the mission sermon, and in , 1849, the circular; in 1851, the mission sermon, and in 1854, the s introductory ; the circular in 1857, and the introductory in 1858. t In addition to the foregoing duties, he was for many years mod- erator, for many years treasurer, and for a number of years either clerk, or assistant clerk. Besides serving upon the ordi- nary committees, he was almost invariably put upon any special · committees which might be raised, and that, sometimes, when . he was moderator, the Association insisting that they could not dispense with his services. Now, when it is remembered that . he was a man noted for modesty, never, never pushing himself forward, such a record as the above gives unmistakable proof of real worth, as well as of the high regard in which he was held by his brethren. d
After the date last mentioned in the foregoing summary, (1858,) feeling that he had been spared to accomplish the lead- ng objects of his life, and realizing the encroachments of age, he measurably retired from active duty-not, however, until he had the satisfaction of seeing rising up around him a number of pious and faithful young ministers, in whose charge, by God's blessing, he felt that the cause of truth and holiness would be safe, among whom were two of his sons.
In 1863, he was sorely bereaved in the death of his second wife-the faithful companion of more than forty years pilgrim- age. She died March 16th, in full prospect of a blessed immor- ality. After her death, he seemed to live in daily expectation
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of his own. Though still taking a deep interest in the pros- perity of Zion, he seldom attended the larger gatherings of his brethren. He was faithful, however, in his attendance at God's house, though not often taking part in the service. Occasion- ally, it is true, the smouldering fires would kindle into a flame, and forgetting his age and infirmities, he would pour forth his soul in the impassioned utterances of former years, to the great delight and edification of his hearers. From day to day, he ripened for the skies. His path was as that of the just, which " shineth more and more unto the perfect day." His hold on earth gradually loosened, and his affections, like entwining ten- drils, grasped more firmly the unseen and the heavenly. God had granted him life, and honor, and worldly blessing, far be- yond his expectation, and, according to his testimony, far beyond his desert. He had lived to see all of his younger set of chil- dren grown and married, and settled in life-his three daughters heads of Baptist families, and his two sons ministers of the gos- pel. In 1854, when about to lay the hand of ordination upon the head of his youngest son, (and youngest child,) he said, with much emotion, "Twenty-one years ago, I felt that if God would only spare my life to see this son raised, and educated, and converted, I should die content ; and, lo! he hath permitted me to welcome him into the ministry of the gospel." Yes, life's labor accomplished, and its warfare over, he was ready to go.
With the opening of the year 1869, his convictions of a speedy departure became more vivid. He was not mistaken. Almost without any sickness, with no special pain, and rational to the last, he finished his course, January 9th, 1869. His last words were, " Precious Jesus !" saying which, he seemed to fall asleep, and so passed away.
From a brief memorial, written a short time afterwards by Rev. E. R. Carswell, a minister of the Hephzibah Association, the following is taken : " Rev. J. H. T. Kilpatrick was no ordi- nary man. He was endowed with an intellect massive and an- alytical. As a preacher, he was always instructive, and would sometimes enchain you for two or three hours by his eloquence. His power in the pulpit could not be appreciated by those who only heard him during the last twenty years of his life. As a writer, he was always accurate, forcible and clear. His contro-
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versy on baptism amply vindicates his claims as a man of learn- ing, research and ability. He was not as extensively known to the denomination as his talents would seem to.warrant. We, who knew him best, feel, of course, more sensibly our great loss."
The following is the latter part of a short sketch which ap- peared in the Minutes of the Hephzibah Association for 1869, and was written by General G. W. Evans, a member of that body :
"As a citizen, he was quiet, retiring and unobtrusive; as a man, open, honest and unsuspecting ; as a friend, true but un- demonstrative ; as a parent, faithful to the high trust commit- ted to his hands; as a pastor, laborious and constant, always punctual to his appointments, never having disappointed a con- gregation in the whole course of his protracted ministry ; as a preacher, he was logical and profound, and when aroused, often- times sublimely eloquent ; as a writer and controversialist, he was true, accurate and resistless ; as a christian, uniform and faithful; and in his expiring moments, as if to seal the holy record of his life with. his dying testimony, his last words were, ' Precious Jesus !'
" Such, brethren, is the brief and imperfect record of the man now gone to his reward, who, before many of us were born, be- came, by the power of his intellect, we might almost say, the father of this Association ; and who, by pen and lip, aided by our brother, the late Rev. Joshua Key, was the main instru- ment of building up the missionary interest among us, and who for years was the triumphant defender of our peculiar views and the eloquent vindicator of our denominational honor.
" Gifted with a massive intellect and an iron constitution, he literally wore out in the service of his Master. We deem it no injustice to the living or the dead, to express our honest con- viction that in his death is extinguished the brightest intellec- tual light which it has ever been our pride to honor."
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