USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 38
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His doctrinal views were moderately Calvinistic. As a Bap- st, he was liberal, but decided. In person, he was above the dinary height and weight, of a benign countenance, musical ice, persuasive manner and grave deportment. His influence good, in Cherokee Georgia, will not soon be lost.
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JAMES WHITTEN.
This worthy and useful minister of the gospel was bor ina Spartanburg District, South Carolina, January 26th, 1785, ad died in Columbus, Georgia, the 17th of November, 1859, in seventy-fifth year of his age. He was married in 1809, to Ms A. E. Thompson, a devotedly pious lady, whose influence ted ed to strengthen religious impressions of which he was alre. the subject. But the cares of his family and other worldly terests predominated for a time. Before he had attained thirtieth year, he was elected to a seat in the Legislatur ٢٠ his native State, and at other times he held other import offices of honor and trust, conferred upon him by his fell citizens.
About this period of life he had severe struggles of se Worldly honors and successes failed to satisfy the longings his immortal nature, though attained by honorable means, : in part to gratify the wishes of his friends. In the thirty-s ond year of his age, he obtained pardon and peace throw faith in Christ.
After having experienced much distress and perplexity the subject of a public profession of religion for six months, finally united with the Baptist church at the Cross-roads Greenville District, South Carolina, and was baptized by R . N. Jackson.
He henceforth relinquished the world, and devoted his to the work of doing good. To honor God and relieve wretchedness of suffering humanity, engaged all the energ of his being. Every good and benevolent enterprise receiv his hearty support. He was licensed to preach in March, 18 and after laboring with much acceptance for nearly two yeafew in December, 1825, he was ordained at the request of itto church with which he first united. That winter he remov pre to Hall county, Georgia, and soon thereafter became the pastlig of Yellow creek church ; and giving himself almost entirely's u the ministry during the ten years of his residence in that neispipa borhood, he was greatly blessed in his labors of love. Eld name is, even to this day, like a household word in the circun in which he moved in those days. la
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Marlin Ansley.
The loss of his first wife about this time, the mother of ten hildren, was an irreparable loss. Soon after this sad event, he brmemoved to the neighborhood of Whitesville, Harris county, ¿here his ministry was also highly appreciated, and where in fany recognized him as the instrument of their conversion. to Mere he married a second time, and here, also, his second wife e tepon died. After her decease, he removed to Columbus, and lrepent his remaining days in the family of one of his daughters diş ed In this field of labor, by his unostentatious piety and untir- g devotion to the work of his divine Master, he secured the turearmest christian affection of all his associates, and the respect porta the entire community. As a missionary among the factory fellopulation, and the pastor of the African Baptist church, he as eminently useful.
of so During the thirty-eight years of his' ministry, he baptized wards of one thousand professed believers.
Having accomplished his work, in accordance with a prayer ty-shich he frequently uttered, he was "gathered as a shock of hrourn fully ripe," and " died in sight of heaven," at peace with od and all mankind.
xity ths, oads He was " a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." no act of his life did he ever bring reproach on the cause Christ. On the contrary, he glorified Him in all things. r Row men were more familiar with the sacred volume, or could eld the weapons of warfare which it furnishes, more effec- his ffely. Verily was he " a good minister of Jesus Christ."
MARLIN ANSLEY
1.1& Was born in Warren county, in this State, in 1802, where he renew up to manhood. In his twentieth year he was baptized of to the church at Union, by Rev. Winder Hillsman. Though mor pressed with the duty of preaching from the dawn of his pastigious life, owing to excessive timidity and a deep sense of rely unfitness for the sacred calling, he was restrained from par- neidipating in the work for several years. In the meantime, he Id married a Miss Johnson, and had removed to Crawford circunty. Here he was soon licensed to preach, and continued labor as a licentiate for ten years. In 1835 he was called to
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ordination by Salem church, of which he was a member, ar was set apart by a presbytery consisting of Jonathan Neal ar Joshua Rowe.
The mission question, or, rather, opposition to the cause missions, produced much dissension and division among th churches in those days. The Salem church, of which Mr. An ley wás a member, separated into two parties, the anti-mi sionaries being in the majority. He took sides with the m nority, and, though the meeting-house was on his own land, t which he held a legal title, he peaceably withdrew with th minority and joined with others in constituting a new churc known as Liberty Grove, which was subsequently removed t Knoxville, the county site. Of this church he continued member until his death, which occurred in August, 1850.
Mr. Ansley took an active and prominent part in the forma tion of the Rehoboth Association, one of the most liberal an efficient bodies in the State. In this connection he co-operate heartily with Jacob King, John H. Clark and Hiram Powel now deceased, and with Tharp, Wilkes and others still living in prosecuting missions both at home and abroad. His talent were not above mediocrity, and he was but little known be yond the bounds of his own Association ; yet it is confidently believed he was " a chosen vessel " for bearing richer supplie of grace than many whose fame has spread throughout the land. No man ever maintained a reputation freer from re proach, and none, perhaps, ever adorned their profession by more godly and pious life.
His death was, of course, peaceful. He sunk into the grave like " a shock of corn fully ripe," leaving all who were permit. ted to witness his departure exclaiming, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his !"
ROBERT FLEMING.
The subject of this brief sketch was born in Warren county, Georgia, August 3d, 1797. His father, Samuel Fleming, was a native of Ireland. His mother was a Grier, and was a near relative of Robert Grier, the author of "Grier's Almanac," so th
well known to the people of Georgia.
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From early childhood Mr. Fleming exhibited much fondness for books, and the first quarter of a dollar he ever earned was used in purchasing " Webster's American Spelling Book," which se was preserved with great care, and was finally given to a fe- th Ans male relative and was used by her as her first school-book. During the war of 1815, he commenced teaching school at the miş m early age of seventeen, which business he pursued most of his life. He was considered an excellent English scholar and a itgood teacher.
It was in 1820, under the preaching of Rev. James O. An- drew, (afterwards Bishop Andrew, of the Methodist church,) that Mr. Fleming became fully awakened to a sense of his lost condition as a sinner. It was at a camp-meeting in Columbia county. The text was, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God," etc., Revelations xx. 12. We give his chris- ian experience in nearly his own words : "He was sublimely eloquent, and it was. this which first engaged my attention. But his reasoning seemed to me irresistible. I had often heard, ind verily thought, that infants came into the world holy. Why, therefore, thought I, should they be judged ? But he made it appear conclusively that they were ' born in sin,' 'born under the law,' and that none but Jesus Christ, who was ' made of a woman,' 'made under the law,' could redeem them that tre under the law., The necessity of a divine mediator, of a divine atonement, of a divine righteousness-the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ-was most powerfully presented. I felt that I was entirely unfit to appear before God in the judgment. [ was without God and without hope. The discourse was so deeply impressed on my mind, and my feelings were so much agitated, that during the afternoon it seemed as if some one was following me, wherever I went, with the words, 'Hear him ! hear him!' It seems to me strange to this day, yet it is true, that I did believe Andrew could explain the way of sal- vation, and that I could learn it from him, as if it were a mathe- matical problem. The putting forth of mental effort, I thought, is all that is necessary in order to become a christian. Oh, how completely has sin put out the knowledge of divine things in the soul ! How lost, how ruined by the fall!
"Rev. William Capers (afterwards Bishop Capers,) was ap-
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pointed to preach on Monday, to be followed by Andrew, in exhortation. And I waited with great anxiety for Capers to close, that I might hear Andrew again, as the words ' hear him ! hear him !' still seemed to sound in my ears. I had seated my- self conveniently for hearing to advantage, and when Andrew rose to speak, I rose, also, that I might have a good view of him. In the act of rising, I thought I was on the very threshold of salvation; that Andrew would make all plain, and that I should be a christian. But I had scarcely risen to my feet when this impression swept away all hopes of the kind, 'You are a lost sinner ; none but God, who made you, can save you !' At that moment I turned from Andrew, and all created help, to God for salvation. The voice, 'hear him !' was now hushed, and 'God be merciful to me a lost sinner !' came in its stead. In an ag- ony bordering on despair, I sat down, and, bowing my head, I wept bitterly. Language is inadequate to describe my feelings. A pious friend, sitting by my side, inquired, 'Do you feel that you want to be a christian ?' I could not reply, but throwing myself on his lap, I was overwhelmed with the deepest emo- tion. Mr. Andrew, and other Methodist and Baptist friends, Mr. Sanders (afterwards Rev. B. M. Sanders,) among them, gathered around, manifesting the kindest sympathy for me. Mr. Andrew made special prayer in my behalf; yet it was not until some months later that I fully embraced Christ Jesus as my Saviour, and was enabled to leave all my interests for time and eternity in his hands."
It was by searching the scriptures, especially by reading prayerfully the 6th chapter of Romans, that he, though brought up a Presbyterian, became convinced of the truth of Baptist sentiments. In June, 1821, he was baptized into the Union church, Warren county, by Rev. Winder Hillman ; in Novem- ber, 1827, was licensed to preach the gospel, and in 1830, was ordained at Warrenton by B. M. Sanders, J. P. Marshall, E. Perryman, J. H. Walker and Jonathan Davis.
His limited circumstances and the wants of a growing family rendered it necessary that he should devote his attention dur- ing the week, throughout nearly the whole of his active life, to the business of teaching. His labors in this respect were dis- pensed mostly in Warren, Meriwether and Talbot counties.
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William Newton.
Yet, as he had opportunity, he preached laboriously and suc- cessfully. Few men of his day were so particular in the prep- aration of their sermons. He frequently wrote them out in full, which not many ministers of that day had either time or incli- nation to do. Several were published, which were very credit- able productions.
Mr. Fleming was the author of several small works, among which may be mentioned "John's Baptism," and the "Life of Rev. Humphrey Posey." He also published the " Georgia Pul- pit," a collection of sermons-a valuable work. His "Elemen- tary Spelling Book," published during the war, had a fine sale, and was very popular.
He was married three times. His first wife was Elizabeth Gunby, his second was Charlotte D. Sherwood, (a sister of Rev. Adiel Sherwood,) and his third Mrs. R. A. Harris, widow of Dr. Bennet Harris, of Jefferson county. They were all excellent persons.
Mr. Fleming is still living, (in Thomas county, Georgia,) is in good health, and is in his seventy-seventh year. No man is more deserving of public respect and confidence than he. It is not very creditable to the denomination that men of his years and in his depressed circumstances, are not better sustained.
WILLIAM NEWTON.
This highly gifted man was born in Warren county, Tennes- see, February 28th, 1818. His parents were poor, and thinking they might improve their worldly condition, they removed to McMinn county, while William was yet an infant. His father, Edward Newton, was a Baptist minister. The subject of this sketch gave evidence of a change of heart, and was baptized before he attained to manhood. But little is known of his early years, except that his education was quite limited, and that he grew up in the midst of extremely rude society.
When only in his eighteenth year, he married his first wife, Miss Temperance Smith, January, 1835. Soon thereafter he was licensed to preach the gospel, but he seems to have entered upon the work with many misgivings. In the fall of 1839, he set out with his little family to Missouri. But, for some cause,
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he was permitted to proceed no further than Southeastern Illi- nois, where his wife died, October 1st, 1840, leaving three small children. With these helpless ones, (the infant being only three months old,) he undertook to return to his friends in Tennessee, and was actually successful in his undertaking, making the whole distance in a one-horse carriage, and alone, except his dependent charge.
The following year, 1841, he married his second wife, who proved to be an help-meet indeed. While in Illinois, Jonah like, he did not make himself known as a preacher of the gos- pel, and it would seem that, like Jonah, he was fleeing from his duty. But upon his return to his native State, he threw himself fully into the work, and was soon ordained, at the re- quest of the Oostanaula church, by Revs. Edward Newton and William Forrest. In this region he preached acceptably for several years ; yet his usefulness, as well as his improvement, was much hindered by the policy of the churches, which was to require their ministers to preach while they withheld from them all pecuniary assistance. It was in this state of things that Mr. Newton fell in with an eminent minister of upper Georgia, Rev. Edwin Dyer, through whose influence a new field of labor was opened up to him in Walker county, which he entered in 1847. Here he was soon employed by the Coosa Association as a domestic missionary, was well sustained, and was enabled to increase his library and to devote a portion of his time to study.
Eight years of the prime of his life were spent in Chattooga county, serving the village churches of Lafayette and Summer- ville, and several country churches, all of which prospered un- der his ministry. His growing popularity, however, proved a snare to him, for in 1850 he must needs study law. He was ad- mitted to the bar and entered upon the practice with encour- aging prospects ; yet his prosperity in this respect was destined to be short-lived, for the Lord began to deal with him so as to bring him back to his duty. Severe affliction was visited upon his family, his wife having been confined to her bed for six months, and a favorite child being removed by death. The courts had no jurisdiction in such cases. On his way to one of his courts, he lost his way in the mountains and spent the night
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George Granberry.
in much peril and anxiety. During those hours of darkness and suffering, he was constrained to renew his resolution to de- vote his life to the ministry of the Word. Thenceforth his whole time was demanded by the churches, and he was better sustained than formerly. He gave up the practice of law and resumed his legitimate work with redoubled energy and zeal.
In the fall of 1857 he removed to Cave Spring, Floyd county, devoting half his time to the church there and the balance to neighboring churches. Here, also, his ministry was much blessed. His churches had peace and prosperity, and their numbers were increased by the addition of new converts. He continued in this field until death terminated his career, which event occurred August 4th, 1861, in the forty-fourth year of his age .. He had raised a company for the service of the Confed- erate Government in the late war, but was prevented from leading it into active service by an attack of typhoid dysentery, of which he died in ten days. He spoke freely of his approach- ing end, expressing the most unwavering faith in Christ. Among his last words were, "I shall ,soon be at rest with Jesus," repeating with holy ecstacy the word "rest, rest !"
His doctrinal views were decidedly Calvinistic, and, while he had christian fellowship for all good men, he was a most deci- ded Baptist in sentiment, and on all suitable occasions was ready to maintain his views as such. In fact, he had several public disputations with pædo-Baptists, in which he displayed great tact and ability, considering his deficiency in education.
Mr. Newton was fully six feet in height, of a robust constitu- tion, fine personal appearance, had a rich, sonorous voice, which he never strained in speaking, and was naturally a most capti- vating and powerful preacher.
GEORGE GRANBERRY.
The subject of this brief sketch was born in Jefferson county, in this State, February 5th, 1797, where he was brought up in the family of his brother, his parents having died while he was yet a child. In his early manhood he married a Miss Jane Ann Whitley, in Louisville, in December, 1822, who survived her marriage only about six months. In November, 1824, he mar-
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ried Miss Sarah S. Hill, in Twiggs county, and removed to Harris county in about 1830, where he was again soon left a widower. His third wife was a Miss Mary B. Folsom, whom he married in Laurens county, in July, 1832, and who still sur- vives him. In early life, he was engaged in merchandising. After his removal to Harris county, his business was that of a farmer. He was a member of the Legislature several years.
He was baptized by Rev. John M. Gray into Mount Zion church, Muscogee county, in 1831, and commenced preaching in 1835. Was ordained at Rehoboth church, Harris county, by Elders B. B. Buchanan and John M. Gray. He served as pastor the village churches of LaGrange and Hamilton, and in the course of years gave his attention to several country churches, all of which enjoyed much prosperity under his ministrations. Though a man of limited education, and of quite ordinary gifts as a public speaker, yet he possessed a sound mind, excellent judgment, ardent zeal in the Master's cause, and enjoyed, in an unusual degree, the confidence of the public. He studied the Bible perseveringly and prayerfully ; took great pains in the preparation of his sermons, and delivered them as one who felt that he " must give account." It is believed that few men have been more eminently useful, within a given period, than he.
And while he enjoyed the love of his brethren and the con- fidence and respect of the world, it was in the family circle especially that his excellency of character shone forth. He was a model husband and father, indeed, and here his memory will be fragrant while any of his family survive.
His death, which occurred January the 14th, 1856, was the result of a chronic disease of the heart, under which he had suffered for years, and by which he had been for a long time disqualified for preaching. When the summons came, however, it found him ready, and he passed away in the full assurance of future bliss. The death of such a man is a public calamity.
DEACON JOSIAH PENFIELD.
Deacon Penfield is a striking illustration of the importance of writing the biographies of useful men before the facts so es- sential to such an undertaking fade from the memories of the
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Deacon Josiah Penfield.
living. He is well remembered in Savannah, but none can give facts in reference to his useful life with sufficient accuracy for history, although it has been but little over a quarter of a cen- tury since his death.
He came originally from some one of the Eastern States, but passed most of his life in Savannah. His business was that of a jeweler, and he was a very accurate and successful business man. The handsome fortune he accumulated was devoted with a noble generosity to benevolent objects. He bequeathed to the Georgia Baptist Convention $2,500 00, for the purposes of theo- logical education, on condition that that body and its friends should raise an equal amount. This was promptly done at the session of that body in Milledgeville, in 1829, his bequest was paid, and the village in which Mercer University is located was named for him.
He was a remarkably useful member and officer of the Sav- annah Baptist church. It is said of him that he never allowed his secular business to prevent his attendance upon the meet- ings of the church. He was one, of the earliest movers of Sun- day-schools in the city, and a most efficient laborer in them. His name appears among the prominent members of the Sun- bury Association, and in 1822 he was its clerk. He was re- garded as one of the best men in the city, and had a large influence among other denominations, while he was a burning and shining light in his own church.
He became much interested in the spiritual welfare of that much neglected class of men, the sailors, who visited the port in large numbers from all parts of the world. As a general thing, they cannot be induced to attend the usual places of worship. Hence, Mr. Pendfield did all he could to have reli- gious services for them on shipboard, and made every exertion to secure their attendance; and at his death, he bequeathed a sufficient sum for the erection a " Mariner's chapel," which now occupies a convenient and eligible site on Bay street. The building bears his name-" The Penfield Mariner's Church," and is held in trust by the "Savannah Port Society." This society aims to keep it regularly supplied with preaching, and other religious exercises.
The author has a vivid and pleasing recollection of the last
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time he ever saw Mr. Penfield. It was at a young men's prayer meeting in Sunbury, in the spring of 1823. He was on · the verge of the grave from consumption, that fell disease, which soon bore him to his long home. With a hollow and sepulchral voice, he gave out the hymn, "There is a land of pure delight," and then made such a prayer as would scarce ever be forgotten. He died soon thereafter in Savannah, and his funeral discourse was delivered by his friend and pastor, Rev. H. O. Wyer.
HORATIO J. GOSS.
It is matter of deep regret that so little can be gathered of the life and labors of the excellent man, whose name stands at the head of this brief notice. "What is our life ? It is even as a shadow that appeareth for a little while and then vanisheth away." But his name ought to be preserved, if for no other reason, because he was the father of four excellent and useful ministers of the gospel, viz: Benjamin, Isham H., William R., and Horatio J., Jr.
The subject of this sketch was for many years one of the most prominent citizens of Elbert county, Georgia, and for twenty years was deacon and clerk of Sardis church. Late in life he was licensed to preach the gospel, and though not fluent in speech, his great weight of character rendered im- pressive and profitable whatever he said, for he always spoke according to the divine oracles. He was remarkable for punc- tuality in all his religious and secular engagements. He used the office of deacon well, and was thoroughly grounded and set- tled in the faith and practice inculcated in the New Testament. He believed in ministerial support, not as a charity, but as a duty, and ever proved his faith by his works, in that he invari- ably paid his pastor liberally and punctually, and prompted all around him to do the same. He departed in peace in 1851, and was supposed to be about sixty-five years of age. How greatly hath God honored him, in having called four of his sons to the highest sphere of usefulness assigned to mortals !
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Benjamin Goss.
BENJAMIN GOSS
Was the eldest son of H. J. Goss, Sr., and was born in Elbert county, Georgia, in 1810. He was reared to industrious habits, working on the farm from his early boyhood ; had scarcely any advantages of education, was quite moral, frugal and industri- ous. While quite young he was awakened to the importance of religion, and in a still and quiet manner sought the Lord, and found him, as he thought, a precious Saviour, and enjoyed himself much in his private meditations upon God's goodness. He delighted in visiting the house of God and in hearing the gospel preached, but his timidity and backwardness prevented him from opening his mind to any one. At length, after & lapse of several years, he was conversed with on the subject of his christian experience and was induced to relate it fully. This inspired him with a little more confidence, and he ven- tured tremblingly to apply to the church for baptism. About 1838 he was received into the fellowship of the Van's Creek church, Ruckersville, and was baptized by Rev. Asa Chandler. Mr. Goss soon became a zealous and active member of the church, would pray in public when called on, and in a few years was chosen and ordained a deacon. He was ever active and zealous in his religious duties, became a leader in prayer meetings, in which he would sometimes lecture or exhort with great fervor. The conviction was soon forced on the minds of his brethren that he was designed of God to labor in a higher sphere, which, corresponding with his own impressions, he was called to the work of the ministry. He would become so ex- cited and animated when speaking of God's goodness and love, that he seldom failed to impress those who heard him.
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