. ;■ "I. i! BX 6495 .M38 M3 Mallary, Charles Dutton, 1801-1864. Memoirs of Elder Jesse Mercer yjig-^'b^H.S. SsLaji.lT.T gjg_^ <^0FP37=^ "-A^?^ ■y FEB 3 1919 M E M O I R 'S/i,. <.\ OF ELDER JESSE MERCER. 4. BY 0. D.'MALLARY. N E W - Y R K : PRINTED BY JOHN GRAY 1844. t. COPY RIGHT SECURED ADVERTISEMENT. The following work was undertaken in accordance with the request and appointment of the Baptist State Convention, at its annual session at Lagrange, in 1842. Its preparation for the press has been retarded by some difficulty and delay in collecting the necessary materials, by other numerous and press- ing duties, but more especially by that feeble state of health, which for many years past has imposed upon the writer the necessity of taking much time to accomplish even an inconsiderable task. The volume is not altogether what the Author could have wished, and what perhaps the public have expected, nor what, under different circumstances, the writer could have made it ; yet with all its defects, it is hoped that it will be found entertaining to the survi- ving friends and acquaintances of Mr. Mercer, and not altogether useless to the religious community in general. The work contains some reflections and his- torical details not absolutely necessary to illustrate the life and character of Mr. Mercer; yet they generally relate to affairs with which he was more or kss connected, and may be in some degree interesting and useful to Southera Baptists, and particularly to the Baptists of Georgia. Audit is proper hera to state, that the Author in preparing the work has had particular reference to its usefulness upon that field where it was natural to suppose it would find its principal patronage and circulation. On this account, it is to be hoped, that the more distant reader will look with forbearance on what mightseem to him to be the redundances and defects of the publication. Numerous quotations from the writings of Mr. fiercer are interspersed through the volume — more than what many might deem judicious, though fewer than what others no doubt would desire. In the selections, reference has been h^d, in some cases, to their practical excellence, in others, to their adaptedness to give a clear and impartial view of Mr. Mercer's various reli- gious opinion*. After all, these quotations constitute but a very small portion IV JIDVERTISEMENT. of his wiitinfs, aud would not therefore eupersede the desirableness of pub- lishing his most important productions in a separate volume. The Biographer has in his possession most of these productions, having collected them at con- siderable [pains, and could now very readily arrange them for publication, did he know that the general wish and anxiety of his brethren were such as to justify the undertaking. The Likeness which accompanies this volume is not as accurate as could be desired. There is no complete likeness of Mr. Mercer extant, from which an artist could copy ; but still his sur\'iving acquaintances cannot fail to recognise in the one which is here presented, the most striking peculiarities of his inte- resting features, and to regard it as a valuable appendage to the Book. The engraved fac simile of his hand writing, which is inserted in the volume, will no doubt be also highly valued. In the conclusion of this prefatory notice, the Biographer would tender his most sincere thanks to all the brethren and friends who have generously as- sisted him in various wajs during the prosecution of his labor ; and especially would he offer up a tribute of thankfulness to the Great Head of the Church, who has enabled him, through manifold infirmities, to press on to the conclu- sion of his toil, so that he can now present to the Christian public a volume which, notwithstanding all its deficiencies, may tend somewhat, with the divine blessing, to perpetuate the usefulness of one, whose name will ever hold an honored place upon the catalogue of the Wise, the Great, and the Good. Ticiggs Co., February 9, 1844. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Introductory remarks — Brief notice of Mr. Mercer's paternal (irandfather — Sketches of the life of Silas Mercer — Early life of Jesse Mercer — His conversion. 9 CHAPTER II. Mr. Mercer's first public exercises — His marriage — Brief notice of his first wife — His ordination — Per- sonal appearance — Call to Hutton's Fork Church — Attends to his mental improvement — call to another Church and removal to Oglethorpe — His doubts as to his call to the ministry — Distressing temptation — Death of his Father and his return to Wilkes — Suc- ceeds his Father in the charge of his churches. 26 CHAPTER in. Mr. Mercer's ministerial labors — Sardis Church — Phil- lips' Mill — Bethesda — Powelton — Gov. Rabun — Ex- tracts from Mr. Mercer's funeral Sermon on the occasion of Gov. R.'s death — Eatonton Church — Thorn ns Cooper 41 CHAPTER IV. Number of immediate conversions not a certain test of a minister's usefulness — Mr. Mercer set for the defence of the gospel — His care to establish his churches in the truth — Skilful to aid the tempted — Anecdotes — His caution in receiving members — Able disciplinarian — Hi? manner of presiding at church Vi CONTENTS. meetings — His punctuality — No respecter of persons — His churches benevolent — Defects in the prevailing system of pastoral labor — Mr. Mercer in revivals — His views on Revivals — Ministerial support — Esti- mation in which he was held. 68 CHAPTER V. Mr. Mercer's labors on his journe3^s from home, at As- sociations, &c.— Circulates useful books — his Clus- ter — Extracts from his correspondence — His relation to political affairs. 81 CHAPTER, VI. !Death of Mrs. Mercer — Mr. Mercer removes to "Wash- ington — A church constituted there — His second marriage — Editorial labors — The degree of D. D. conferred on him — Letters to various individuals. 102 CHAPTEPv VII. Mr. Mercer's connexion with the Georgia Association — Extracts from his Circular Letters — Connexion with the General Committee — Baptist State Convention. 137 CHAPTEIl VIII. Mr. Mercer's efforts in behalf of Education — Mt. Enon — Columbian College — Attempts at co-operation with South Carolina — Mr. Mercer's views on the subject — His aid to Mercer University — Brief Histo- ry of the Institution — Project of College at Wash- ington — Sermon on Education — Extracts from the same, and from Christian Index 160 CHAPTER IX. Mr. Mercer's efforts in the Missionary cause — Forma- tion of Powelton Mission Society — Mission Board of the Ga. Association — Mission to the Creeks — His favorite argument for Missions — Letters in defence of benevolent plans froux the Index — Letter to Mr. CONTENTS. Vll ►^huck — To Mr. BoUes on the abolition excitement — Remarks from the Index on the same subject — His kind feelings towards his northern brethren — Skele- ton of a missionary Sermon — Letter on the " Im- prisonment of the Missionaries to the Cherokees." 188 CHAPTER X. Mr. Mercer and the Temperance Cause — At first stands aloof — His reasons for this in a letter to Mr. Brantly — Mr. B.'s editorial coraments^Finally lakes the pledge — Establishes a Temperance paper — Opposes the use of wine — His opinion on the traffic in spirits — Remarks from the Index — Sketch of a Temperance Discourse — Short notes on the wine question. 223 CHAPTER XI. Mr. Mercer's pecuniary contributions to benevolent objects. 236 CHAPTER XII. Unhappy divisions in the churches— Mr. Mercer's opinion as to the causes — His Circular Letter pub- lished in the Convention Minutes of 1831 — Useful- ness at ministers' meetings — Extracts from his ser- mon on Ministerial Union — Letters to Mr. B. and Mr. L. 245 CHAPTER XIII. Mr. Mercer as a writer — Speaking the truth in love — His Ten Letters on the Atonement — Extracts — Ser- mon on the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ, and Extracts from the same — Essay on Lord's Sup- per — History of Ga. Association — Review of a cer- tain Report — Essay on forgiveness of sins — Extracts from his Editorial pieces. 281 CHAPTER XIV. Narrative of Mr. Mercer's Life resumed — Letter t(5 Mrs. R. — Severe indisposition — Address to patrons / VUl CONTEiVTS. of Index — Letter to the Ga. Association — Letter to Mrs. R. — To Heman Lincoln — Death of Mrs. Mer- cer — Letter to Mr. M. — Letter of Mr. Curtis to Mr. Mercer — Mr. Mercer's reply — " Hear what the Spi- rit saith to the churches," 3 nos. — His feelings in view of his approaching end. 332 CHAPTER XV. Mr. Mercer's decline regarded with sorrow — His last Sermon — Sketch of the Sermon — Visits Penfield — Letter to Mr. Sturgis — Visits Indian Springs — Let- ter to Mr. Sturgis — His death — Mr. Carter's Letter in relation to his death — Resolutions of the Washing- ton Baptist Church — Of the Presbyterian Church — Notice of Mr. Sturgis' Funeral Sermon. 373 CHAPTER XVI. Mr. Mercer's personal appearance — Various traits of character described — Mr. Mercer in his social rela- tions — Character of his mind and attainments — His character as a preacher — His gift in Prayer — His piety — His faults — His great influence. 395 APPENDIX. A Memoranda of occasional remarks made by Mr. Mer- cer, in his sermons, private conversation, &c. 431 B Recollections of one of Mr. Mercer's sermons, furnished by Rev. W. H. Stokes. 434 C Obituary Notice of Mrs. Nancy Mercer. 436 D Mr. Mercer's Opinions upon various subjects connected with Church Discipline. Arc. 441 MEMOIRS OF ELDER JESSE MERCER. CHAPTER L Introductory Remarks.— Brief Notice of Mr. Mercer's' paternal Grandfather. — Sketch of the Life of Silas Mercer. — Early Life of Jesse Mercer. — His Conversion. Upon the map of an extended country, we do not expect to see a distinct exhibition of every hill and rivulet and valley. An attempt at such minuteness would defeat the design of geographical delineation, exhibiting nothing to the eye but a confused and blot- ted chart. The most interesting and prominent objects only can be sketched, and if this is performed with judgment and accuracy, every reasonable expectation is satisfied. So upon the map of Zion, which is to be held up to public view and handed down to future ages, we do not expect to find a distinct and prominent exhibition of the life and labors of every saint who may have contributed a share by his work of faith and labor of love, and patience of hope, to enrich and beautify the spiritual landscape. If it were possible for mortals on eaith to consti-uct and exhibit such a 2 10 MEMOIRS OP chart, how vast would be its dimensions, how compli- cated its parts,^ how wearisome its details. It would take a long life to scan one little province ; and even in this limited and partial field, the eye would wander over a thousand objects which would fail to make any- deep and salutary impression on the mind. For the present,* it is enough for us to know that such an ex- tended and perfect memorial is in the course of pre- paration in a brighter and better world. The record of all the saints is on high. On that record, the life and services of the most obscure believer, as well as of the most eminent, are traced in clear immortal lines. At length the glorious chart will be unfolded to our view in all its minute and mighty delineations. The little rill will then be as distinctly seen as the majes- tic river ; the flowery hillock as the cloud-capt moun- tain ; and then shall we learn, as we gaze with strong and admiring eyes upon the heavenly portraiture, in what manner tlje beauty and influence of all the re- deemed had been combined to complete the glory of Zion, and show forth the manifold wisdom and match- less grace of the Triune God. But if, at present, it would be as useless as it is im- possible, to render distinct and prominent in the annals of the church, the life and death of eveiy good man, yet there has ever prevailed a just and general expec- tation that those, who have been blessed with distin- guished gifts and graces, and selected by heaven as the instruments of extensive and lasting good, should be honored after death with some enduring memorial in which they may still live for the glory of God and the benefit of mankind. Upon the map of Zion, which is to give faithful instruction to future ages, the Baptist denomination in the United States will be laid do.wn JESSE MERCER. 11 as an extensive and important province ; and in that province our children will expect to sec some traces of the life and services of Jesse Mercer. The patriarchal head of the Mercer family was a native of Scotland, who cmigi'ated to this country about the close of the seventeenth century. The pa- teiTial grandfather of Jesse Mercer was one of his children, and was bom in Virginia, in 1713. He mar- ried his first wife in that state, by whom he had three children, Lydia, Silas and Rhoda. His second wife was Sarah Simmons, of Currituck county. North Caro^ lina, by whom he had nine children ; viz. Jacob, Tho- mas, Sarah, Chloe, Mary, Vashti, James, Caleb and John. Two only of this numerous family are now living, Mr. James Mercer of Coweta county, and Col. John Mercer of Lee county. The father removed from Virginia to North Carolina, (at what time it is not certainly kno^vn,) and resided in Currituck county and elsewhere in the state until about 1767, when he emigrated to Georgia and settled in what is now Wilkes .county. He and his family suffered many hardships duiing the revolutionary struggle. He was . upwards of sixty years of age at the commencement of the war, and although from age and infiimity he performed no actual service, yet he embraced in feeling the cause of his country, with patriotic zeal. Two of his sons, Jacob*and Thomas, notwithstanding they had families, were engaged in active service during nearly the whole war, the care of their families in the mean time devolving mainly upon their aged parent. He died at the residence of his son Silas, in Wilkes county, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. Through youth and middle age he was a High Churchman, and for a long time officiated in North Carolina as 12 MEMOIRS OP clerk of the parish, and perliaps as curate. In his old age he and his wife professed conversion, embraced the peculiar sentiments of the Baptists, and were bap- tized, probably by Daniel Marshall. Silas Mercer, the father of Jesse, whose name will ever occupy an honored place in the records of Ameri- can Baptists, was bom near Currituck bay. North Carolina, February, 1745. As his mother died when he was but an infant, his early training devolved more exclusively upon the hands of the father, who being a zealous member of the Church of England, very carefully instructed him in the doctrines and ceremo- nies of that religious denomination. From early childhood, young Silas was the subject of serious im- pressions, but it was not till after he arrived at man- hood, that he experienced a saving change. Previous to this happy event, he had been most devotedly at- tached to the rites of the Episcopal church, and as violently opposed to other religious denominations, and especially the Baptists. These were the people that above all others, he had been taught to dread ; and he carefully and conscientiously shunned them as a company of deceivers, and a people infected with absurd and dangerous heresies. But possessing an independent spirit, and endowed with a vigorous and discriminating mind, when he came under the de- cided influence of correct religious principles, he was very naturally led into that course of investigation which gradually carried him beyond the control of educational prejudice and traditionary systems, and established him at last in a faith and practice more in harmony with the simplicity of the gospel. He very soon began to question the validity of sprinkling as scripture baptism, and in accordance with the rubric JESSE MERCER. 13- of the Episcopal church, which enjoined immersion except when the health of the child might seem to require a milder mode, he had two of his children dipped. The first was Jesse, the subject of this me- moir, Avho was immersed in a barrel of water at the clergyman's house ; the other was a daughter who was subjected to the same ceremony in a tub prepared for the purpose in the Episcopal meeting-house. In his progi'ess towards more just and scriptural views, he was compelled to encounter the most for- midable opposition. His father, under the influence of mistaken zeal and affection, cast every possible ob- struction in his way ; and to this were superadded the sti-enuous efforts of the clergyman, in connexion with all his Episcopal brethren around him. They spared no pains to keep alive his prejudices against the he- retical Baptists, and to prevent all intercourse with that blind and infatuated sect. But in spite of his own long cherished antipathies, and the untiring op- position of beloved and honored friends, he gained his consent at length to attend a meeting of Baptists, and listen to a discourse from one of their ministers. This presumptuous and daring act provoked his fa- ther's resentment ; and as the tears of grief and an- ger gushed from his eyes, he exclaimed, " Silas, you arc ruined .'" But neither the tears nor the rebukes of the disajDpointed father jiroved availing. The unrea- sonable prejudices of the son soon began to yield, and he was inclined to cheiish more kind and charitable feelings towards the peoj)le he had so long despised. Not long after this he removed with his family to Georgia, and settled in Wilkes county. Having at length become thoroughly convinced of the propriety of believers' bciptism, he was immersed about the 14 MEMOIRS OF year 1775, by Mr. Alexander Scott, and became a member of the Kiokee church. He rose from the water as it were, a minister of the gospel ; for before he left the stream where he was immersed, he as- cended a log and exhorted the surrounding multitude. Having been formally licensed by the church, he at once entered upon a course of ministerial labor, which was characterized by much zeal, ability and usefulness. During the revolutionary struggle, he fled for safety to Halifax county in his native state, where he remained six years, during which time he was incessantly engaged in the work of the ministry. It appears from his journal, that he preached, upon an average, oftener than once a day ; so that during his six years* residence in North Carolina, he deliv- ered more than two thousand discourses. About the close of the war, he returned with his family to his former residence in Georgia, some seven miles south of Washington, where he remained to the end of his days. He was justly regarded as one of the most exemplary, useful and pious ministers in the Southern states. Several interestinsr churches were o reared up under his faithful labors. Though not dis- tinguished for his literary attainments, he was never- theless the devoted friend of education, especially in the ministry ; and to promote this noble object, he established a school near his own house, and procured an able teacher to superintend its interests. In the midst of his active and useful labors, he was arrested by disease, and after a short illness, he entered into his heavenly rest, in the fifty-second year of his age. He devoted considerable time to study, wi'ote seve- ral pieces on important subjects, one of which, entitled '* Tyranny Exposed, and True Liberty Discovered," JESSE MERCER. 15 was published in a pamphlet of sixty-eight pages. He was, however, more distinguished as a preacher than a writer. Jesse Mercer was bom in Halifax county. North Carolina, December 16, 1769. He was the eldest of a family of eight children, consisting of five sons and three daughters.* * The followizig are their names: Jesse, Ann, Mary, Daniel, Mourning, Hermon, Mount Moriah, and Joshua. The third and fifth died in infancy. Ann was born in 177i, joined the church at Phillips' Mill in her fifteenth year, and married Mr. Robertson, of ^Viikes county, in her seventeenth. She removed witli her husband to West Tennessee in 1822, where she is still livi^jg, in widowhood, Mr. Robertson having died the second year after their removal Daniel was born in 1780. His fatlier gave him a good educa- tion, and he made teaching his profession, in which he was highly distinguished. A large, portion of the eminent men in the state received their education, ia whole or in part, under his care. He was a distinguished Latin scholar, and was also able to give instruc- tion in the Greek. He was a man of considerable research, and spoke the English language with great purity and precision. He v^as quite facetious, and quick at repartee; a person of pleasing address, and fine colloquial powers. At the same time he is said to have been a person of sound judgment, great energy and decision of character, and possessing talents of a higher order, in the estima- tion of many gootl judges, than those of his brother Jesse. He mar- ried Miss Sarah Tuggle, of Greene county, about 1812, removed to Henry county in 1826, and died without issue in 1827. Mount Moriah was born in 1787, joined the church at Williams* Creek in 1809, married Miss Ann Edge, of Wilkes, in 1316, and died in Oglethorpe, in the thirty-fifth } ear of his age, leaving a widow and three children, who are still living. He also was a school mas- ter by profession; but not having received a classical education, his labors as a teacher were confined to common schools. In this sphere he is said to have been distinguished. He was remarkable for his peaceable, humane, kind-hearted, and affectionate disposition. Heumon and Joshua are still living. The former was born in 1784, the latter about 1790; they have both been for a long lime 16 SIEMOIRS OF The youthful chai'acter of Jesse is described by sur- viving friends as almost without a stain. In very early life there w^as seen the budding of many of those amia- ble and virtuous traits, which so much distinguished him in after life. Under the influence of his strong, native good sense, a remarkably tender conscience, and great self-control, he was enabled to avoid, not only the more gross excesses of youth, which are often witnessed with the deepest regret and sorrow; but those more slight deviations from uprightness and pro- priety, which, in subsequent years, are frequently called to remembrance with mortification and self-re- proach. A venerable uncle,* at the particular request of the writer, has generously furnished him with a sketch of the youthful days of his nephew, as well as of some interesting incidents connected with his more advanced life. Several extracts from this sketch, (with a few unimportant corrections,) will be intro- duced into the following narrative; as they will fur- nish very suitable materials for illustrating some im- portant portions of Mr. Mercer's history, which must have remained an entire blank, but for this kind and seasonable contribution. Shortly after the return of Silas Mercer to Georgia, he visited his aged father, who had previously removed from North Carolina, and settled on Brier Creek, in members of the Baptist church, and are also ministers of the gos- pel. The descendants of the original Mercer family are now scattered through the whole of the middle, southern and western states, and Texas. Tradition says that the gallant General Mercer, who fell during the Revolution, was one of the family relatives. Many of them are yet in Virginia, amongst whom is the distinguished Charles Fenton Mercer. * Col. John Mercer, of Lee county. JESSE MERCEH. 17 Buike county. Whilst there, he gained his father's consent to remove with his family to his own farm in Wilkes, that he might be more comfortably provided for in his declining yiears* " He came down, (says the writer of the sketch above referred to,) for my father and his family the ensuing fall, and brought with him his son Jesse, a veiy spare lad about thirteen years of age. This was the first time I had ever seen him. He was my senior by nearly seven years.* I soon became much attached to him, because he was free- hearted, sociable and kind, and called me his little uncle. From this time, we were brought up on the same farm, about seven miles south of Washington. From the intimacy of our association, I of course knew him well, and it gives me great pleasure to bear testi- mony to the rectitude of his juvenile deportment. Although a mere boy, he acted the part of the prudent man, that foreseeth the evil and hideth himself. Per- haps I may as well say here, that I not only never knew him use a profane word, or an impious expres- sion myself, but that I heard him say, in his latter years, he had never used an oath in his life, not even one of those petty oaths that too often fall fi'om the lips of persons considered moral, or that indeed some- times defomi the conversation of professors of religion. Nor did he ever pronounce in vain the Deity's name, as in those common exclamations. My God ! Good Lord ! &c. So far did he cany the piinciple all through his life, that in relating an incident, or an an- ecdote, he scrupulously refrained from repeating such oaths as might be connected with it. * The writer of this sketch was only a half brother of Silas ]\Ier- cer, being the s6n of a second wife: this will account for his being 80 much young;er than his nephew Jesse. 2* 18 MEMOIRS OP *' There was another remarkable trait in the char- acter of his boyhood, that I must not offiit. He had no taste for the common plays and pastimes of other boys, such as marbles, fives, town-ball, and the like ; and seldom, or never, took part in any of them, nor in the athletic exercises of jumping, wrestling, and box- ing. Once only did I ever see him engaged in wrest- ling, and that was with his uncle James, who was about his ovni age. They were ploughing in a field, when I suppose they agreed to make trial of their skill in wrestling, of which, by the by, it was manifest that neither had any, from their awkward, main-strength efforts to bring each other down. Down they came at length, and rolled and tumbled in the dirt until they were both fairly exhau^ed ; when they arose in good humor, brushed each other's clothes, and resumed their ploughing. " Although he had no relish for games of chance, nor those athletic sports that would have brought him into direct collision with others, it was not from a soli- tary and morose disposition ; for he was ever ready to join his associates, when opportunity offered, in hunt- ino" and fishino-. Indeed, these were recreations in which he always, even do^\Ti to a late period, took great delight. At that early day, game was plentiful, and when he had leisure, no weather was so inclement as to prevent him from ranging the woods for deer and turkeys, or coursing the river and mill-ponds in search of wild ducks. At a later day, when the large game had disappeared, he often amused himself in hunt- ing squirrels, rabbits, and other small game. He was a good shot, and I have known him spend half a day at a time, in firing at a mark. " He took no less delight in fishing, and would angle JESSE MERCER. 19 with gi'eat patience, or join a party to draw the seine, or to muddy or drain a pond. After we were nearly grown up, I was with him often in his hunting and fish- ing excursions, and remember well his zeal in those amusements. We would lash a bundle of split pine upon our backs, like a knapsack, and with a torch in one hand, and a gig in the other, sally forth to the river, a distance of two or three miles, where we would fish with gixiat zeal, often till midnight, and perhaps for all this toil be rewarded with not more than half a dozen moUy-craicl-hottoms, as he used to call them. No way discouraged, however, it would not be long before we would try it again in the hope of better luck. He and myself alone put a fall-trap in Little River, in which we were very successful in taking fish, when- ever we would take the precaution to lie by it all night, so as to keep the rogues off. " Swimming, a useful acquirement, and an exercise so highly recommended by the gi'eat Franklin, was an art that he piiactised much, and of which he was very fond. This leads me to sj^eak of an act of heroism and magnanimity, (and I record it with the most grateful feelings,) by which I was rescued from a watery grave. To him, indeed, I owe the extension of my natural iife for the last fifty-eight years, and to his instrumen- tality, under the providence of God, I also owe the hope I have of eternal life. The incident alluded to occurred when he was about seventeen years of age, and was as follows : He and my brother James agreed to go one afternoon to practise swimming, and I ac- companied them. They seemed greatly to enjoy the pastime, while I was only a spectator, for I was only ten years old and could not swim. Withal the place was deep, and the bank on the side we approached 20 MEMOIRS OF precipitous. But on the opposite side, there was a nice sandy beach and shoal water ; and if I could only reach it, I too might enjoy the diversion. My nephew, seeing my anxiety, said that if I would undress myself, he would take me across on his back. He was par- ticular in directing me how to hold on, and not to climb on him, as that would put him under. To all this I promised compliance, but we had no sooner set out, than sinking deeper in the water than I had anti- cipated, I became frightened, and notwithstanding his remonstrances, kept climbing on him as he sank down, until we both went to the bottom. His only resource was to disengage himself from me, which he did, and rising, he reached the shore in almost a lifeless state. He neveitheless kept an anxious lookout for me, ex- pecting me to rise. I shortly did so at some distance down the stream, when, notwithstanding his exhaus- tion, he fearlessly plunged after me, and reaching the spot where I was going do^vn, succeeded, by diving, in laying hold of me, and brought my apparently life- less body ashore w4th one hand, whilst he swam with the other. By rolling me in the sand, and using such means as they had heard recommended in such cases, he and fny brother succeeded in restoring me to life. " He was a staid, discreet and sober youth, and never visited the haunts of dissipation, unless imperi- ously called there by business. He was very even- tempered and uniform in his conduct ; was never de- jected, morose and sulky, nor, on the other hand, did he give way to uproarious mirth, which was veiy com- mon in those days, at log-rollings, house-raisings, coni-shuckings, &c. He would, however, in relating little stories and anecdotes, indulge freely in a kind of quiet humor that was peculiar to him,^nd would JfiSSE MEllCEU. 21 get off' his nan'ative with a variety of posture and ges- ticulation wholly original, and somewhat awkward and rustic, such as tossing his head in a peculiar manner ; shi-ugging up his shoulders ; or if on his feet, w^alking to and fro with a peculiar swing of the body, using now a short step, and then a longer one, placing one arm behind him and resting it across his back, advancing and then receding, &c. Much of this peculiarity of manner he retained through his life, as you and thousands of others will remember. These peculiarities, aided perhaps by his natural gra*- vity, occasioned some to say th^ he was proud ; and by being privately informed of it by a friend, he took no other notice of it than in a sermon shortly after, when he had occasion to speak of pride and to define it. Said he, 'some &ay that / am proud; true, so I am, as proud as Beelzebub can make me, but I pray for more grace.' He was benefited by the improve- ment of manners consequent upon the increase of Avealth and learning in the country, yet he never at- tained, either to a very polite caniage in his private intercourse with society, or to a gi'aceful manner in the pulpit. ■ • ** He had great command of his passions, as I have before intimated. I never knew him to have a fit of anger on account of any accident that was either pro- vidential, or the result of carelessness, nor on ac- count of any personal wrong or insult. Indeed, I do not think he ever had a personal quan'el with either man or woman through his whole life. He was also a man of gi'eat fortitude and firmness ; and met with calm determination every untoward event of his life, both temporal and religious. •' He was a pattern of filial obedience, submitting 22 MEMOIRS OF cheerfully to every command of his parents. During the frequent absence of his father, who was from home at least one half of his time, he was never disobedi- ent to his mother, but on the contrary, treated her with the utmost respect and deference, and obeyed her with alacrity. Death alone parted him and his mother, between whom there was a reciprocal warmth of affection that I have scarcely ever seen equalled, certainly never surpassed. He was the favorite child of his father also, and the tenderness and indulgence which he showed towards him, would, if a boy of or- dinary parts and disposition, have made a spoiled child." Mr. Mercer enjoyed in his early youth but limited advantages for mental improvement. It is not certain that he had ever been sent to school previous to the return of his father from North Carolina. Owing to the scattered state of the population, it was some little time before a school could be established ; but after some delay one was opened about four miles from his father's residence, which he attended for a time, walk- ing the whole distance night and morning. The year following, a school wa§ organized about a mile and a half nearer, in which he was a pupil for the space of two years. Some of the circumstances related in the foregoing narrative may seem to many quite unimportant ; yet there is often a peculiar satisfaction in contemjDlating even trifling incidents in the lives of great men, and especially those connected with their youthful history, which shadow forth those noble qualities that after- wards distinguish them. Those who have been inti- mately acquainted vsdth the life and character of that great and good man whose history we are now re- JESSE MERCER. 23 cording, cannot fail of discerning in some of the little incidents just rehearsed, at least a few glimmering types of that stable and unaffected kindness, that marked decorum and prudence, that striking origi- nality, that manlike firmness and independent recti- tude, that quiet, yet unwavering zeal in the prosecu- tion of approved objects, which were so conspicuous in subsequent life. But it is time to notice a more important portion of his youthful history ; that which refers to his early re- ligious exercises, and which cannot fail to interest the pious reader. A brief outline of these exercises were many years after imbodied by himself in a hymn which he published in his Cluster;* but his uncle has furnished a more full and satisfactory account of his experience, which he relates in substance, as he often heard it from the lips of his honored relative in pri- vate conversation, and in fragments from the pulpit. It is as follows : *** Having been raised,' said he, *by pious parents, I was taught to believe that the scriptures were the word of God, and that I must conform my life to them, that it might be well with me in this world, and that which is to come. When I was no more than five or six years old, I felt conscious that I was a sin- ner, and was concerned about my future state, so much so, that I frequently prayed ; and so I continued alternately praying and sinning until I was about fif- teen years old. At this age, I was more seriously im- pressed with a sense of the wickedness of my heart, and its alienation from God. I believed he was too holy £o conform himself to my pleasure, and allow me to live in sin, and not bring me into judgment for it. ♦ No. 233. 24 MEMOIRS OF I feared ^e judgment, because I had done only evil and that continually ; and now to do good and please G-od was the important work before me. This I be- lieved was to be accomplished by praying, reading the scriptures, and going to meeting to hear the gos^ pel preached. To all this I gave attention, with some-^ times more and sometimes less anxiety and diligence for nearly three years, when I found myself nothing better, but rather worse than when I first began to seek the Lord. My heart became hard and unfeeling, and I wondered that God, who was angry with the wicked every day, had not long since cut me off and sent me to destruction, — a condemnation which my conscience could not but have approved. I now felt a deeper and more abiding concern, but what to do I knew not, for it was now suggested that there was no hope for me, but that the time once was, when I first sought the Lord, when my conscience was tender, when I was young and had committed but little sin, that the Saviour would have taken me in the arms of his love and blessed me ; but, inasmuch as I had cast oft" those early impressions, and desired that God Avould connive at my love of sin, and still take me to heaven when I died, and thus rejected the Lord in my childhood, the promise ** suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kinjr- dom of heaven," was to me lost, forever lost. I now thought I was given over to unbelief and hardness of heart, to spend the remainder of my days in hopeless despair. Whatever my end might be, it was, how- ever, my heart's desire that I might sin no more. " ' I now thought I had a clear view of the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, and saw plainly how sinners might be saved who would come unto him aright, confessing their sins and believing on his JESSE MERCER. 25 name. Seeing it thus, I tried with all the faculties of my soul to believe, but could not ; and so I concluded I had not come aright, and was rejected. I was glad, and in my greatest distress rejoiced that others could beheve in Christ, and by believing, flee the wrath to come. My heart's desire was to be holy, and I loved Grod because he was holy. I trembled at the thoughts of the gi'eat day of final retribution, when I must be driven out from the presence of the great God who made me, and whom I adored. My secret desire then was, that others might be saved, for I wanted none to accompany me in my banishment from Heaven to the regions of misery and despair to which I believed I was doomed. I had been some three years earnestly seeking the forgiveness of my sins, and had seen the time when I could weep over them, but now my heart was hardened, and my tears all dried up, save only to weep because I could not weep. While on the verge of despair, I was walking alone along a narrow, soli- tary path in the woods, poring over my helpless case, and saying to myself wo is me ! wo, wo is me ! for I am undone for ever ! I would I were a beast of the field ! — At length, I found myself standing with my eyes steadfastly fixed on a small oak that grew by the path-side, and earnestly wishing that I could be like the little oak when it died and crumbled to dust. At that moment light broke into my soul, and I believed in Christ for myself and not another, and went on my way rejoicing.' " It appears from the records of the Phillips' Mill church, that he made a relation of his Christian expe- rience to that church, July 7th, 17S7, and was re- ceived as a candidate for baptism. He was baptized by his father, (probably on the following day,) being then in the eighteenth year of his age. 26 MEMOIRS OF CHAPTER II. Mr. Mercer's first public exercises. — His marrioge. — Brief notica of bis first wife. — His ordination. — Personal appearance. — Cull to Hutton's Fork church. — Attends to his mental improvement — Call to another church and removal to Oglethorpe. — His doubts as to his call to the ministry. — Distressing temptation. — Death of his father and his return to Wilkes. — Succeeds his father in the charge of his churches. Shortly after Mr. Mercer connected himself with the church, an intense anxiety was awakened in his bosom for the salvation of his fellow men. He was strongly impelled to address them on the way of life through a crucified Redeemer, and an opportunity soon presenting itself for the gratification of his de- sires, he commenced his public exercises in a manner which afforded pleasing evidence of his strong natural powers, and of the purity and waiTnth of his Clnistian zeal ; and which excited amongst his pious friends high expectations of future usefulness and distinction. " His first public "effbrts," says the venerable relative from whose narrative we have already quoted so freely, " was made in his grandmother Mercer's house, an humble log cabin, within a hundred yards from his father's dwelling, on the occasion of a Sab- bath-day prayer meeting. The subject of his exhor- tation was the general judgment. He became deeply excited in warning his neighbors, and more particu- larly his associates, to flee from the vnrath to come, and to prepare for that tremendous day. I was much astonished at his gestures, his ardor and his expres- sions, many of which I remember to this very hour. His grandmother ^seemed to be overwhelmed with JESSE MERCER. 27 joy at this first attempt, spoke much of it in the fa- mily, and in some degree predicted his subsequent usefuhiess. There was preaching occasionally in my mother's house, and a few pious persons kept up a prayer-meeting there and at other places in the neigh- borhood. This gave him frequent opportunities for exercising in prayer and exhortation, which he took advantage of with manifest improvement. Witnessing his zeal, piety, and doctrinal ability, he was encouraged by his father, by his uncle Thomas Mercer, who was a minister of the gospel, his uncle Jacob Mercer, and some others of the leading members of the church, so that he soon began to preach, and to hold forth Christ publicly as the way of life and salvation to a perish- ing world." It does not appear from the records of the church at what time he received a formal license, but there is every reason to justify the belief that from the first commencement of his public efforts, he had the entire approbation of his brethren generally. On the 31st of January, 1788, being then in his nineteenth year, he was united in marriage to Miss Sabrina Chivers, daughter of Mr. Joel Chivers, and at the time of their mamage, step-daughter of Mr. Oftnial Weaver, of Wilkes county. She was a pious and orderly member of the Phillips'. Mill church, hav- ing been baptized about the same time that Mr. Mer- cer became a member. This union seemed to have been peculiarly suitable, and was the source, in after years, of much domestic enjoyment. Miss Chivers was a poor orphan girl, bringing to her husband upon their mamage, a no larger portion of worldly goods than a feather bed ; yet she possessed what was far more essential than mere earthly treasures, piety, pru- dence, industrious habits, and a heart devoted to the 28 MEMOIRS OF comfort and usefulness of her companion. The wri- ter cannot forbear, in this connexion, presenting in her favor, the testimony of one that knew her welL *' She was indeed a help-meet for her husband ; for, beside her ordinary domestic duties, she spun and wove with her own hands, all the cloth he wore, and gained not a little renown through the country, for the neatness and beauty of her manufacture. Notwith- standing she was a most affectionate wife, and de- lighted in the company of her husband, she was very careful to throw no obstacle in the way of his fulfilling his appointments punctually, and was always mindful to have his clothes put up, and every thing ready. She submitted with great fortitude to the lonely life that she led in his absence, which was relieved only by the company of one of her maiden sisters, (of whom she had several,) who usually staid with her. It was from a proper estimate of the importance of the work in which he was engaged, and not from any indifterence towards him, that she so cheerfully gave up his company. If there was a probability of his detention by high waters and inclement weather, she could hardly be drawn off to talk of any thing else ; and accustomed to his punctuality, she would be con- stantly peering through a little chink, (she had one opening towards each end of the road,) looking with the liveliest interest for his return. As soon as he ap- peared, she would cry out ' yonder he comes ! poor thing!' and dropping every thing, would runout to meet him with the greatest joy. '* For the first ten or twelve years after their mar- riage, she was, in the strictest sense, a keeper at home, and proved herself a most frugal and industri- ous wife ; in which respect, indeed, few females ever JESSE lll^.RCER. 29 excelled her. She was extravagantly fond of infants and children, (it mattered little whose they were,) ca- ressed them much, and treated them with the utter- most tenderness and affection. In the absence of these objects her passion seemed to be transferred, in a measure, to the young of the inferior animals, such as lambs, pigs, and even poultry, which she would feed and nurse with great care. After this, when the family had become more affluent, she travelled much with her husband, and eventually died in the upper part of South Carolina, in the month of Se2:)tem- ber, 1826." But to return to the history of Mr. Mercer, " I do not remember distinctly," says his uncle, '* how he employed himself for the first year after his maniage, but am under the impression that he went to school. He lived in his father's house. His father gave him a hundred acres of land about a mile distant, and in the Fall or Winter of that year, he erected upon it a neat log-cabin, and opened a small farm to which he removed, and where he resided for two years." In the mean time he zealously jjrosecuted his ministerial labors, expounding the scriptures in an orthodox and able manner, and affording gratifying evidence to those who heard him, of his rapid advancement in the know- ledge of divine things. A short time before the com- pletion of his twentieth year, he was called by the church to ordination, and was solemnly set apart to the work of the gospel ministry. From his creden- tials, of which the following is a copy, it appears that his father, Silas Mercer, and Sanders Walker were the ofHciating ministers.* * It is probable that a Mr. Hutson also assisted on this occasion. In the minutes of the church confcrrnct^ held November 7ih, 1789, 30 memoirs of " Georgia, > JVilkes County^ ) These are to certify, that we, being duly called as a Presbytery, have examined into the character, call and qualifications of our beloved bro- ther, Jesse Mercer, and w^ith the consent of the church of Christ at Phillips' Mill, to which he belongs, have, by fasting and prayer, and imposition of hands, set him apart to the great work of the ministry. " And he is hereby authorized to exercise himself in the several parts of the ministerial functions, where he may be called, whether occasionally or stated[ly]. Given under our hands, this seventh day of Novem- ber, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine. Sanders Walker, Silas Mercer." From the above it appears that fasting was con- nected with the ordination services ; a practice which the subject of this memoir uniforaily recommended as important on such solemn occasions, being in his view enforced by the scripture example recorded in Acts xiii. 3. It might not be unsuitable in this place, to say something of Mr. Mercer's personal appearance in the pulpit at the commencement of his public ministry. It is said to have been any thing but prepossessing. He was slender, and awkward in the extreme. Old Mr. AVhatley, who was a very good but eccentric there is the following item: " Brethren Sanders Walker and James Hutson met according to appointment, and proceeded to examine into the call and qualifications of Brother Jesse Mercer, and being satisfied with bim, he was set apart by imposition of hands to the great work of the ministry." If Mr. Hutson was one of the or- daining presbytery, his name should have been to the certificate of orJination. Its absence the writer is not able to account for. JESSE MERCER. 31 brother, and of wliom some of our aged brethren re- tam many pleasant and amusing recollections, was once heard to say, " when Jesse was young, he was one of the ugliest, most unpromising creatures I ever saw; but ive have made. him a pretty boy." In after life, when his mind began to develope itself, and the roughness of his manners was somewhat" softened down, this same old brother remarked, that he thought Jesse was one of the prettiest men he ever saw in his life. But the slender frame and awkward manners of his youthful days could not conceal his worth ; as veins of gold glitter through the sides of an unpol- ished mountain crag ; so his vigorous mind and ar- dent zeal darted their brilliant fires through the rough exterior, engasrinor the notice and excitinor the admi- ration of all around. After his ordination, he seemed to feel that, in a pe- culiar sense, he belonged to Christ and to his blessed cause, and it was the habitual and absorbing desire of his heart, that he might be a useful minister of the gospel. An increased interest was felt by his brethren in his ministrations, and though so very young, he re- ceived a call to the pastoral care of the church called Hutton's Fork, (now Sardis,) in Wilkes county. He accepted the call, and continued his useful and faith- ful labors amongst that people, for more than twenty years. His improvement was perceptible, and yet he needed and desired more. His father, who, as we have seen, was a liberal patron of education, encou- raged him to engage in the study of the learned lan- guages. His consent was easily gained, and selling out his little farm, he removed with his wife to a small dwelling on Fishing Creek, near a respectable school. 32 MEMOIRS OF The institution was under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Springer, a Presbyterian clergyman of considerable learning and talent ; and withal, an able minister of the gospel. At this school he continued for two years, not neglecting, however, in the mean time, his duties at Hutton's Fork, nor allowing his other Sabbaths to pass by unoccupied. He would occasionally accom- pany Mr. Springer to his meetings, who, it seems had become strongly attached to Mr. Mercer, for his Chris- tian zeal and promising talents, and who readily em- braced every convenient opportunity to give him instruction in theology. The parental care and faith- ful counsels and instructions of this good man were of great advantage to Mr. Mercer. Of this he was fully sensible, and he never ceased to cherish towards this worthy benefactor, feelings of the greatest respect and veneration. At his death, which occuiTed about the year 1800, he composed an appropriate and affect- ing eulogy on his character. The friendship which existed between these individuals at that day, when sectarianism and religious^bigotry held a more powerful sway than at present, reflects great honor upon them both. About the time that Mr. Mercer removed to Fish- ing Creek, his father, assisted by some of his wealthy and intelligent neighbors, established his school, (known by the name of Salem,) under the rectorship of Mr. Rodolphus BroAvn ; who dying in the course of the year, was succeeded by Mr. James Armor. Under the care of the last named gentleman, who continued in charge of the institution for several years, it acquired considerable celebrity. Its advan- tages being sufficiently inviting, Mr. Mercer, after an absence of about two years, returned to his father's. JESSE MERCER. 33 put up a cabin within a few yards of the academy, and continued for another year the study of the lan- guages, and such other branches of learning as were deemed of the most importance. He still prosecuted his ministerial labors, visiting regularly the church of which he had taken the oversight, preaching in the school house of nights, and improving his vacant Saturdays and Sundays in such openings around as were providentially presented. But he did not es- cape the animadversions and complaints of the preju- diced and the ignorant. *' It is not Latin and Greek, and mathematics," said they, " that make a 2:5reachcr, but grace in the heart, and a call to the work." They thouo^ht it a needless waste of time for Mr. Mercer to pore over his musty school books, when the field was open before him for the preaching of the gospel. His academic course was, however, rather limited and imperfect ; he did not attain to a very intimate acquaintance with the learned languages, though it was sufficient to assist him much in after life, to make out criticisms on difficult passages of Scripture. His knowledge of the principles of English grammar was not entirely thorough ; hi^ orthogiaphy was incom- plete, and indeed continued defective through life ; and in other respects he came short even of an accu- rate elementaiy education. Still his limited course of literary and theological training was of inestimable advantage. It taught him the use of books, improved his language, gave him a more exact and comprehen- sive view of the gospel scheme, and enabled him to give to his thoughts a more clear and logical arrange- ment. It also sers'ed to awaken in his bosom the needful consciousness of his own mental capabilities, and brought into wholesome and well directed action 3 34 MEMOIRS OF those acute and vigorous powers which, in their more full and ample development, enabled him to grapple with a master hand, the most difficult and sublime subjects in the system of revealed truth. In the acquisition of his education, he derived but little assistance from his father, whose circumstances were limited, hardly allowing him the means for the education of his rising family, much less for the as- sistance of his married son. His own industry and frugal management, with perhaps some occasional donations from his brethren, constituted the resources upon which he had mainly to depend. It is proper, however, that it should here be stated that in 1792, *' the General Committee for the Charleston Baptist Education Fund," assisted him with d£10, and after- wards, with a small supply of books. That very re- spectable and efficient body could hardly have made a more judicious and fortunate appropriation. The field of Mr. Mercer's labors was soon enlarged. In the course of 1793, he accepted of the pastorship of the church at Indian Creek, (or Bethany,) in Ogle- thorpe county, and removed the ensuing winter to its vicinity. He there was enabled, principally by the assistance of hired labor, to support his family, whilst he devoted himself v/ith gi'eat diligence to the duties of his sacred calling. Occasionally, however, he would labor diligently with his own hands, (for from child- hood he was industrious and inured to hardship ;) but he did not allow the cares of his farm to interfere with his ministerial duties, the proper and faithful dis- charge of which he ever kept before him, as the gi'eat object and aim of his life. Mr. Mercer, like most other ministers, was occasion- ally harassed with fears that he was not called of God, JESSE MERCER. 35 to the work of preaching the Gospel. About the time to which our narrative has now brought us, (possibly a little earlier,) he accompanied his father to North Ca- rolina, where a trifling incident occurred which gave him great uneasiness. For a time, it caused him to doubt whether he was even a Christian, much more whether he was a Christian minister. " I was travel- ling," said he, ** with my father in North Carolina : we had preached at Meeting-House, and gone home with an old friend of my father's to spend the night. Having preached that day, and travelled a consider- able distance, and, withal, through a drizzling rain, I was a good deal fatigued when we arrived, and I com- plained of my weariness. After supper, the kind-heart- ed old brother had a fine armed chair brousrht out for my accommodation, which I occupied with great com- fort during the tete a tete betwixt him and my father. Bed time at length arriving, the family assembled for evening worship, in which my father officiated. Dur- ing the serv^ice, I fell fast asleep in ray comfortable arm-chair, and slept so soundly that I lost the whole of the prayer, and awoke only upon the rattling of the chairs in the rising up of the company. Instantly I was awake, and wide awake, for I Vv^as filled with remorse, shame and confusion. We soon retired to bed, but there was no rest for me that night. As soon as I was alone, I said within myself — what shall I do now 1 O, that I was at home ! for how shall I look my father and this genteel family (for they were people of wealth and distinction) in the face, after this ! and the report of my shameful conduct will, no doubt, soon go abroad. It will be said that the Rev. Silas Mercer and his son Jesse, who is also commencing minister, are travelling and preaching in North Carolina. The old gentleman, 3G MEMOIRS OF it is true, is a preacher of some distinction, but as for his son, we think he had better give up preaching; why, he preached the other day at , and upon go- ing home with Mr. , fell fast asleep in an arm-chair during solemn family devotion, conducted by his father — did not know, nor even say amen / Surely, although he seems to be zealous in the pulpit, and exhorts others to watch and pray, his heart cannot be in it, or he would not fall asleep in an arm-clicdr in a strange coun- try, in a strange family, in the very inidst of the solem- nities of family worship. In truth, said I within my- self, it is a very bad sign, and I must talk with my fa- ther about it in the morning, and tell him I cannot preach to-morrow. Upon introducing the subject to him, he gravely smiled at what had occuiTed, and said he feared the adversary had gotten the advantage over me, and that he thought I was troubled over much. * Do you expect to be more watchful and circumspect,* said he, ' and heavenly-minded than the immediate fol- lowers of our Lord, who fell asleep on a much more solemn and trying occasion % And do you not remem- ber the kind manner in which he reproved them — the spirit, indeed, is ivilling, Imt the flesh is 2veak 1 I am sure here is ground for comfort and encouragement, and you should not lay it so much to heart. Trust in God, and apply yourself to the work before you.' My father saw proper to mention the subject at the break- fast table, where it excited nothing but laughter at first, which my bad looks soon turned to pity. The family treated it as a venial matter, and said the same thing might befall the most pious man living. I was sui-prised myself that the case of the sleeping disciples had not occurred to me ; so that, upon the whole I was per- suaded to preach that day, though it was a long time JLSSK MEUCER. 37 before I got entirely over it. But I have always found more peace of mind and Christian comfort in the dis- charge of my ministerial duties than in the omission of the.n." A few years subsequent to the little incident above related, probably in 1795, he was, on a certain occa- sion, assaulted by a most distressing and awful temp- tation, of which the following is a brief account. I still quote from his uncle's naiTative, in which the circum- stance is recorded, as nearly as can be recollected, in Mr. JMercer's owii words : " ' I was,' said he, ' on a preaching tour, and havino- filled one of my appointments on a certain day, was proceeding on my way towards the next, when I heai'd the muttering of distant thunde , and, upon looking up, saw the outline of a rising cloud in the west. Borne onward by the wind, it arose with unprecedented haste, while the lightning flashed, and the thunder roared louder and nearer. I w^as convinced that I was about to be overtaken by a storm in the wild woods, for there was no covert at hand. The sky was soon overcast, and the air darkened. The loud, hoarse hum of the ap- proaching tempest now fell upon my ear, the flashes of lightning were swallowed up in a continual glare ; peal on peal of thunder fell around me, and the sturdy trees of the forest were trembling in the blast. My horse, startled by the lightning, the thunder and the crash of falling trees, from becoming restive, began to plunge from side to side, so that it was with gi'eat dif- ficulty I could hold on. In the midst of this feaiful commotion of the elements, and drenched with rain, it was suggested to me to curse the wind, and the thun- der, and the lightning, and the God who ruled them. The storm gathered strength, and so did the tempta- 38 MEMOIRS OF tion. I feared I should commit the awful sin, notmth- standing all the powers of my soul were aiTayed against it. I clenched my teeth, gi'asped my biidle convul- sively, and my w^hole system was in a "state of the ut- most tension. In my agony I cried, continually, Lord, help me f Lord, help me ! Preserve thy poor servant that trusteth in thee, from this most heinous — this black- est sin ! Such was the anguish of my soul that I for- got the storm. The temptation may have lasted some five or six minutes, when all on a sudden it left me. My ners-es relaxed, and I felt as- weak as a child ; but my mouth was filled with praises to God for my de- liverance. It was, however, quickly suggested to me, if you did not curse God aloud, yet you thought it. I replied, with increased joy, if I did, blessed be God, my heart was not in it. So the temptation proved a blessing in the end, for by it ray faith was strengthen- ed.' " In the month of August, 1796, Mr. Mercer was called to mourn the death of his honored father. The removal of such a -wise counsellor and faithful friend, to a person possessing a heart so kind and tender, and in \vhich resided so much filial love and devotion, must have been a most painful bereavement. The follow- ' ins: winter, vieldinor to the call of dutv, he returned to his father's residence, (at the same time, probably, re- signing the pastoral charge of his church in Oglethorpe county,) for the purpose of administering upon his de- ceased parent's estate, and otherwise assisting the be- reaved family. At the same time, Mr. Armor gave up the rectorship of the Salem Academy, of which he immediately took the superintendence, being assisted in his labors by his brother Daniel. The churches, which had been so faithfully served JESSE MERCER. . 39 by his father, and which had grown uj) to respecta- bility under his care, now called for the services of the son. These were Phillips' Mill, Powelton, and What- ley's Mill (now Bethesda) : he accepted of these sev- eral calls, and entered at once upon the cultivation of this new and extended field. It seems that the mantle of the ascended Elijah rested upon the young Elisha. Those who knew iiim best esteemed and loved him most ; he was a prophet truly honored in his own country, and amongst his own kindred. His profiting had appeared to all ; his ministerial gifts had become much improved ; and he had taken a high stand as an able expounder of the doctrines of the gospel. He continued at his father's place for several years, until he had settled the business of the estate ; after which he removed to the Fork of Little River, in Green county, some five or six miles below What- ley's Mill. Here he settled again on a small farm, supporting himself and family as before, chiefly by hired help, although he still continued to labor occa- sionally himself. Nothing, however, was allowed to disturb his uniform zeal and punctuality in the dis- charge of his ministerial duties. About this time, he had a few young ministers un- der his instruction, iunongst whom were Thomas Rhodes and INIalachi Reeves. At certain appointed times, these young brethren would meet him at his own house, when he would hear their recitations, and give the necessary directions as to their course of read- ing and study. These services were rendered gratu- itously. How much good might be done by our wise and experienced ministers, were they more frequently to imitate this praiseworthy example, and encourage their younger brethren, especially those whose pecu- 40 MEMOIRS OF liar circumstances deny them the advantages of good theological schools, to come to their own houses, and receive such instructions as would tend to advance their piety and usefulness. From what has already been stated, it would seem, that during the early years of his ministry, Mr. Mercer received but little pecuniaiy assistance from his churches. Individual members would occasionally assist him with small donations oi com, pork, and other articles of provision, " but as to a compensation in gold and silver, such a thing," says his uncle, " was scarcely thought of." "After about 1800, he received more on funeral and marriage occasions, than from any other quarter. He had acquired great fame in the performance of the marriage ceremony, and I have very often heard young ladies say, when we marry we shall send for Mr. Mer- cer, for we do not think we should be frightened ; he goes through the ceremony so quickly and genteelly. The rich and fashionable used to call him for this pur- pose, the distance of fi'om thirty to fifty miles, and would frequently, for his services, present him with from twenty to fifty dollars. In like manner, he would be called equal distances to preach funeral sennons ; and when any thing was given, which was not uncom- mon, he would be presented with similar sums of mo- ney. In his tours of preaching, beyond the bounds of his churches, wealthy brethren, knowing his poverty, would sometimes give him a few dollars, especially when he visited their families ; and pious ladies would give him some articles of clothing of their own manu- facture, besides many little presents that were made through him to his wife. By an economical use of all these little means, he contrived, not only to live in JKSSE MERCKR. 41 comfort, but to increase constantly, though slowly, his property. He was prudent, industrious, and econom- ical, and cautiously regulated his expenditures by his income ; so that he always met, with the utmost punc- tuality, his pecuniary engagements," CHAPTER HI. Mr. Mercer's ministerial labors. — SarJis Church. — Phillips' Mill. — Bethesda. — I'owelton. — Gov. Rabun. — Extracts from Mr. Mer- cei's funeral sermon on the occasion of Gov, R.'d death. — Eaton- ton Church — Thomas Cooper. The last chapter brought U2:)'the history of Mr. Mer- cer to the time when he became well established in his ministerial character, and had entered, in a formal manner, upon an interesting and extensive field of labor. In this chapter, and the one or tw^o chapters which immediately follow, it is proposed to take a brief and cursory view of his ministerial labors during the most active portion of his life. This view will confine us mainly to the period extending from 1796, to 1827. There will be found some occasional reference to events already noticed in the preceding chapter, and to some of a later date than 1827, as well as some statements and reflections of a general character, which will apply to most of his ministerial course from first to last. The other various departments of useful and pious labor in which he was employed, and in which, as well as in the more immediate discharge of his duties as a minister, he gained for himself a pre- 42 Memoirs of cious and venerated name, will be noticed by tlieffi^ Belves in their appropriate places. The sketch now proposed must necessarily be very imperfect, and, in all probability, will fall far short of the expectations of surv^iving acquaintances, as well as of those who had only heard of him by the hearing of the ear. The wi'iter had no personal acquaintance with Mr. Mercer till towards the close of the period above referred to, and then the acquaintance was fonned at some distance from the field of his active labors. INIr. INIercer kept no regular jaurnal of his la- bors, nor of the various religious exercises through which he passed in the prosecution of his ministerial duties. But little, refen-ing to this period, can be gathered from his con'espondence ; the traces of many incidents are entombed with the venerable cotempo- raries, who entered into their rest before him ; and many things, which mighty interest, have glided from the memory of those who still survive. In addition to all this, it must be remembered, that the course of most ministei's, even of such as are greatly distinguished, is generally monotonous and unimposing, being marked with but few incidents to excite admiration and wonder. The field occupied by Mr. Mercer was one of the most inrportant in the state ; and there was a mutual adaptedness of minister and people, which very natu- rally suggests to our minds the wisdom of that provi- dence, which assigned him the bounds of his habita^ tion. How greatly the influence and usefulness of a minister depend upon such a coincidence, must be obvious to all. The churches which he served, were in the midst of a dense population, embracing a large proportion of individuals in comfortable cii'cumstances, JESSE MERCER. 43 of solid, practical sense, with a respectable number beside of considerable intelligence and refinement. In the main, they were a people that could well appre- ciate the plain, rich, sound instructions of their gifted minister ; whilst at the same time they felt the most entire complacency in his unadorned and simple man- ners. Our sketch will commence with some account of Mr. Mercer's sei'vices in immediate connexion with the several churches which he supplied during the pe- riod just specified. SARDIS CHURCH. This church, (first called Hutton's Fork,) was gather- ed by the labors of Silas Mercer, in 17S8. It is situated in Wilkes county, about twelve miles northwest from Washington. As the reader has already noticed, this was the first church which Jesse Mercer was called to preside over, as pastor. It prospered under his min- istry, and was favored with some seasons of special re- freshing from the presence of the Lord. At the Asso- ciation of 1802, thirty-three were reported as having been added by baptism, during the preceding year. In the years 1808 and 1809, there was a precious re- vival, and something like one hundred were baptized as the fruit of God's merciful visitation at that time. The whole number received into the membership of the church, during Mr. IMercer's connexion with it, the author has not the means of ascertaining, though it must have been quite respectable. In 1817, he gave up the charge of this interesting church, much to the regret of the members that composed it. They were greatly attached to their pastor, and accepted of his resignation with extreme reluctance. 44 memoirs of Phillips' mill. This is one of the oldest churches in the State, and owes its birth to the instrumentahty of the elder Mer- cer. It was constituted in 1785. Its location is in Wilkes county, some nine miles in a southwest direc- tion from Washington, on the road leading fi'om that place to Crawfordville. As the pious and intelligent Baptist passes by the antique meeting-house, now occu- pied by this venerable mother-church, the most thril- ling reflections are awakened in his bosom. Not far distant from this very place, resided for many years, and finally died, the holy, zealous and indefatigable Silas Mercer ; here his distinguished son was baptized, and ushered into the gospel ministry; and here, for more than fifty years, was his voice often heard, warn- ing the ungodly, pointing the weary and heavy-laden to the Saviour of sinners, and reproving, instructing and comforting tha children of God. Shortly after the death of his father, Mr. Mercer, as has already been recorded, was called to the pastoral charge of this church. The date of this transaction was September 10th, 1796. On the same day, he and his wife united affaiti with the church, havino: been dismissed in March, 1795. He served the church regularly, as pastor, thirty-nine yeai's, with the exception of a few short pe- riods w^hen he obtained permission to be absent, for the purj3ose of travelling. In the latter part of 1798, he visited the north, and Rev, B. Mosely supplied his pulpit during his absence. During his absence, in 1817, to attend the Triennial Convention at Philadelphia, his joulpit was supplied by a Rev. Mr. Robinson ; and when absent for a similar pui-pose, in 1S26, the Rev. B. M. Sanders ofliciated in his place. In 1S02, this JESSE MEUCER, 45 church, ill common with all the other churches which Mr. Mercer supplied, was favored with a pleasant re- vival. Thirty-eight were reported to the Association that year as added by baptism. In successive years, the numbers 7, 1:2, 14, 19 and 25 are occasionally found reported, though not unfrequently much smaller num- bers. During Mr. INIerccr's pastoral connexion with the church, something like 230 were added by bap- tism. In the earlier part of INIr. Mercer's labors at Phil- lips' Mill, as well as at the other places which he sup- plied, his congregations were generally large ; in later years, the population of the country around having been much diminished by death and emigration, and other churches, also, having spi-ung up in contiguous regions, the attendance upon his ministry, except on special occasions, was less crowded. In 1835, Mr. Mercer resis^ned the charo^e of this church, and was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Stokes. jsw£nY.SD A, formerly whatley's mill. This church is in Green county, about twelve miles east of Greensboro. In its origin, it was another mo- nument of the untiling zeal and successful labor of Si- las Mercer. There are some still living who remem- ber the time when his voice was lifted up in the forest, to instruct the gathering multitudes in the way of life, before the church was fonned, or a house of worship erected. The church was constituted in 1785, and en- joyed the labors of Silas Mercer as its first pastor. Abraham Marshall and James Heflin were also pas- tors. Jesse Mercer commenced his pastoral labors in this church in 1796, and continued them until 1827. From the year 1807, till 1817 his membership was 46 MEMOIRS OP also here. The population around, in former yearSj was dense, and an unusually large congregation at- tended on the ministry of Mr. Mercer. In 1818, a brick meeting-house, sixty feet by forty, and two stories high, was erected, to which the pastor himself was a liberal subscriber. At this time, the name was chang- ed from Whatley's Mill to Bethesda. This has been an active, useful and prosperous church. It has been the mother of several valuable ministers, has aided much in the cause of benevolence, and enjoyed some delightful revivals of religipn. In the memorable year of 1802, forty-nine were added by baptism. Other respectable accessions are noted on its records. The uncle of Mr. Mercer gives the following inte- resting account of the commencement of a revival in this church : ** At a certain time, he had been on a preaching tour for a fortnight, and had sjient most of the time in a revival, and upon his return, attended his church at Whatley's Mill, at their regular meeting. He was aware that the church was in a very languid state, and his sermon was on the deceitfulness of the heart, in crying fcacc, j)cace^ when tlicre is no fcace^ At the close of his discourse he became deeply affect- ed, and addressed the congregation about as follows : 'Dear brethren and friends, I have been, for a great part of the last two weeks, addressing a people that I believe are truly awakened to a sense of their lost, helpless, and ruined state, and are crying out in their agony, icliat shall ice do to he saved ? Amongst them my tongue seemed to be loosed, and I could point them with great freedom to the way of salvation through a cracified Saviour. On my way hither, I have felt the deepest concern in contrasting your life- JESSE MERCER. 41f less situation with theirs, until I even bedewed the pommel of my saddle with tears ;' and here lifting up his hands, he exclaimed, * O, my congi'egation, I fear you are too good to be saved !' and again burst into an irrepressible flood of tears. Descending from the pulpit, and recovering himself a little, he poured forth a most solemn and empassioned exhortation, during which many came forward and asked that prayer might be made in their behalf ; and thus commenced one of the most interesting revivals which has ever blessed that favored church." Much of the fruit of Mr. Mercer's valuable labors at Bethesda appeared after he had resigned his pastoral charge. In 1828 the church w^as pcmiitted to enjoy one of the most powerful revivals of religion that has ever been witnessed in the State of Georoia. From March to October, not less than 270 were added to the church by baptism. Fifty and sixty were some- times added in a day. Amongst this number were Bome who had been converted many years before, un- der the preaching of Mr. Mercer; and there were others, whose conversions were recent, that still refer- red to his faithful instructions as the means of their first awakeninof. The seed which he had lonof been sowing in tears ripened at length into a joyful harvest. Before dismissing this item of his narrative, the writer thinks it proper to state, that, in 1820, a meet- inor of the Mission Board of the Georo^ia Association was held at Bethesda, at which time the several minis- ters present united in the ordination of Rev. Adiel Sherwood, a brother whose name has long been iden- tified with the hictory and successful progress of the Baptists of Georgia. 48 MEMOIR;* OP POWELTON. This church, (at first known by the name of PoW" el's Creek,) is another monument to the pious labors of the father Silas, who planted, of the son Jesse, who watered, and to the grace of God which gave the happy increase. It is located at the little village of Powelton, Hancock county, about fourteen miles northeast from Sparta, the county town, near Pow- el's creek and the Ogechee river. It was constituted on the 1st of July, 1786, with twenty-six members, by Silas Mercer, John Harvey, and John Thomas. On the 4th of February, 1797, Mr. Jesse Mercer as- sumed the pastoral charge of this interesting church, and remained its minister till the latter part of 1825. It appears from the records of the church, that he was received into its fellowship by a letter from Whatley's Mill, (Bethesda,) Feb. 28th, 1818, about which time, or perhaps a little before, he removed with his family from G-reen county to Powelton, where he resided for the next nine or ten years. Under the wise and faith- ful training of their much beloved and venerated pas- tor, the Powelton church became one of the most ac- tive, efficient, and benevolent bodies in the state. It was for a long time one of the important rallying points of the denomination. The benevolent and hos- pitable spirit of its members drew to the place many of those sacred convocations of ministers and lay brethren, which were appointed from time to time, to deliberate upon the interests of Zion. The Georgia Association held several of its annual sessions with this church. Here was organized in 1803, " The Ge- neral Conwiittee of the Georgia Baptists ;^^ here Jli:SS£ MERCER. 4$ was foniied, in 1822, the Baptist State Cofive/Uion, and its sessions for 1823, and 1832, were held with this church. An efficient missionary society was also organized at Powellon, as early as the 5th of May, 1815. In 181'i or 1815, by the eflforts of this intelli- gent and enlightened church mainli/, an academy was established, which has ever since been maintained upon a respectable footing, and has been greatly ser- viceable to the denomination, and to the country ge- nerally. Though the academy has been suri'ounded by a Baptist community, and has been principally sustained from its commencement by Baptists and their adherents, yet the trustees have ever been guided by the most liberal policy, and without respect to de- nominational considerations, have endeavored to se- cure the most competent teachers. It has so hap- pened, that most of the instinicters have been paedo- baptists. The liberality of the patrons, however, in cheerfully sustaining them, has not been altogether unrewarded, for some of these individuals have come useful and prominent members of the Baptist denomination. The Rev. Otis Smith, long known as one of the most successful teachers in the state, and for some years president of the Mercer University, is one of the individuals to whom reference is here made. The accessions to the Powelton church under the ministry of Mr. INIercer, were not remarkably large. In 1802, twenty -nine were reported to the Association as added by baptism. Occasionally, a considerable length of time would ti'anspire without any increase ; at other times, several would be received at each suc- cessive monthly meeting. About two hundred were baptized during Mr. Mercer's connexion with this 50 MEMOIRS OP church. If the accessions were not large, they never- theless embraced a highly respectable number of in- dividuals, distinguished for their intelligence, piety and usefulness. Gov. Rabun was, for many years, a distinguished member and ornament of the Powelton church. In the following extract from a communication from President Sherwood, there is honorable mention made of this good man, as well as some reference to Mr. Mercer, which may not be uninteresting to the reader. " In June, (1819,) I attended his (Mr. Mercer's,) Pow- elton meeting, and by previous invitation spent two or three days at his house. Governor Rabun was then clerk and chorister of the church. I was struck with the simplicity of his character. Some men, if they had been elevated by office as was he, would have supposed themselves too high to record the do- ino-s or lead the devotions of a country church ; but here was exhibited the spectacle of the highest officer in the state mingling with his brethren as one of them, far removed from that hauteur which little folks some- times assume, as if he were Xhe most insignificant of their number. In the fall of this year, Mr. Mercer was sick of a bilious attack, and seemed to have es- caped very naiTowly from the grave. I can never foro-et the grief portrayed in Judge CohVs counte- nance when it was announced that he was actually dead ; but it was a mere iTimor. At the meeting of the Georgia Association that fall, he was pale and feeble ; Governor Rabun was the picture of health ; but before the month had expired, he had bowed to the summons of death. So uncertain are all appear- ances on whic'i to place our hopes." Shortly after the death of this excellent man, Mr. Mercer, at the JESSE MERCER. 51 request of the legislature, preached a funeral dis- course on the melancholy occasion, which was after- wards published, and passed through two editions. A few extracts from this discourse may be gratify- ing to the reader. "Called as I am, by the General Assembly of a State in mourning for the sudden and unexpected death of her beloved Chief Magistrate, to express the high consideration in which he was so justly held, and to afford a tribute of respect due his departed worth, I tremble as I advance ; and feeling as I do, a particu- lar and melancholy interest in this afflictive dispensa- tion while I make the effort, the tenderest sensibilities of my heart mouni, and an unutterable grief thrills through my soul. ** Your late excellent Governor was the pleasant and lovely companion of my youth ; my constant fiiend and endeared Christian brother in advancing years, and, till death, my unremitted fellow-laborer and able sup- port in all the efforts of benevolence and philanthropy in which I had the honor and happiness to be engaged, calculated either to amend or meliorate the condition of man." After this short introduction, the author proceeds to quote the passage of Scripture upon which he founds his discourse : this is 2 Sam. iii. 38 — " Knoic ijc not that there is a 2>rince and a great man fallen in Israel .?" From this text he takes occasion to consider the im- portance and character o? ^ great man in a nation, and the light in which \i\%fall is to be regarded. '* A man is gi'eat," says Mr. Mercer, " according to his strength of thought, the infoiTnation he possesses, and the manner in which he employs his time and ta- lents for t^i*" ^lublic good and the divine glorj'. He 52 MEMOIRS OF should be estimated from his mind rather than his at- tainments ; or, as Dr. Watts beautifully expresses it — * ' Were I so tall to reach the pole, Or grasp the ocean with my span, I should be measured by my soul — The soul's the standard of the man.' *' Next to a noble mind, wisdom constitutes and is the great man's ornament. It consists not in any de- gree of knowledge, but in the right use of what is pos- sessed, and differs from it as pleasures differ from the means which afford them. It is to folly what know- ledgre is to ig-norance. It oriorinates in the fear of God, flourishes in patriotic philanthropy and teraii- nates in glory and renown. A wise man is attentive to the experience and examples of individuals and na- tions, * * * and increases in wisdom. In his intercourse with men he is directed by the good old golden rule, and in politics it is his joy to associate individual hap- piness with the public good. He is generous in feeling, open in candor and firm in complaisance ; in plea- sures piTident, in trials patient, and sterling in worth. He thinks modestly, speaks cautiously, and acts hum- bly. His whole deportment is regulated by the fear of God, and directed by the public good and the divine honor ; and such teas Governor Rabun. " But to crown the character of the gi*eat man, piety is indispensable. This is that gracious temper of heart which fulfils the whole law ; it originates in renovation, and is perfected in love to God and man. 'Tis that temper of heart towards God, without which all religion is vain, devotion is solemn mockery, and JESSE MERCER. OJ rlohteousness becomes sin. 'Tis tins that consecrates both the porsons and works of great men to wise and holy pui'poses, and constitutes them the seed of the land, so that for their sakes a nation may be preserved. But in those who are great in impiety, there is no pledge for the public safety. God indeed may use them as he did Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and Cyrus, as instruments for the accomj^lishment of Jiis designs, by overruling theirs ; but it shall be with them as it was with the king of Assyria, who, when he had done the work assigned him as an instrument in the hand of the Almighty, was punished for the haughtiness of his hifjh looks. But 'tis on account of the persons and the prayers of pious men, that God is graciously pleased to stay his ^vrath, and hush the threatened storm of vengeance to rest. Of what vital worth then are men of piety to a sinful natioti % pious men, who, like the friend of God, suing for guilty Sodom, constantly bend the knee of devotion before the throne of God, and give him no rest till he estab- lish and settle the state in peace : — especially men of early piety, whose hearts have been long right with God, and whose morals are all fixed by the most firm and rigid habit. These are the strong pillars of the state, the pledges of the public safety, and the blessed of God. And such was Governor Rabun. " It was his felicity to have many friends, few ene- mies, rare equals, and no superiors. He is gone, and has left an awful chasm behind him. — A widow bereft of a tender and kind husband ; children of an affection- ate and loving father ; servants of a humane and in- dulgent master ; neighbors of a constant friend and pleasant companion ; the Baptist church of her bright 54 MEMOIRS OF ornament, member and scribe ; two mission societies of their secretary ; the Georgia Association of her clerk, and the state of a firm politician and her hon- ored chief. O, what an eventful death was Governor Rabun's ! The beauty of Geoi-gia is fallen ! " He is gone, but in glorious hope : — a hope which he obtained in Christ ' as the end of the law for righte- ousness to every one that believeth,' after a severe conflict of soul under that conviction which the divine Spirit affords of sin, of righteousness, and judgment ; and which sustained him from seventeen years of ao-e till death, as * an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast.' ^P "7^ ^ tF ^t ^P ^F tF " In death [he was] resigned in the arms of Jesus, and cried, 'now lettest thou thy serv'ant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.' Yes, fellow citizens of the General Assembly, and other auditors, there is a power in the gospel of Christ that 'makes a dying bed feel soft as downy pillows are;' and the consistent, dying Christian, leaning his head on the breast of redemption, 'breathes his life out sweetly there.' And thus died Goveror Rabun. His remains are deposited in the gloomy mansions of the dead, where clustering sorrows gi^ow with luxuriance, and the silence of death flourishes in venial bloom, but his departed spirit is gone to that unknov^Ti re- gion where ' the clock strikes one, and the pendulum vibrates ever always, ever always, ever always, and the clock strikes no more.' "* * The following condensed sketch of the life of Gov. Rabun is from Mr. Sherwood's Gazetteer of the Stale of Georgia; " Hon. Win. Ra- bun was born in Halifax County, North Carolina, April, 1771. His JESSE MERCER. EATONTON. In ISIS, a commodious house of worship was erected in Eatonton, Putnam county, by the commu- nity at large, for the accommodation of several reli- gious denominations, and the Baptists amongst the rest. On November 17th of the same year, a Baptist church was constituted with ten members, Elijah Moseley and Frederick Crowder, acting as the Pres- bytery on the occasion. From this beginning, respec- table for its worth, though small in numbers, has risen up a most liberal, pious, efficient and well disciplined church. Much of its early prosperity is no doubt to be attributed to the valuable labors of Mr. Mercer. Yieldino- to the urgent solicitations of the little band, he took charge of the church on the 2-5th of January, 1820, and continued as its pastor till the close of 1826. Much of the last year, however, he was absent from the church. During his connexion with it, about sixty were added by baptism, and forty by letter. In the years 1827 and '8, under the ministry of Brother Sherwood, his esteemed successor in the pas- toral office, the church was blessed with large and valuable accessions ; to what extent the previous la- fathcr removed to Gnorsia whih^he was a young mnn. He was an hble represcnt;ilive from Hancock a iiumher of year?, and long Pre- sident of llio Senate and Governor ex-oQicio, and also Governor from 1817 to 1810. Mr. Rabun was truly a religious man. He unitrd with the Baptist church now worshipping at Powelton, in 1787 or '8. His house was the house of prayer. To all the benevolent institu- tions of the day he lent his influence and his purse. It was a pirat- ing sight to witness the Governor of the state taking the load in singing at a country church. Office did not hloat him as it docs some. He died while Governor, at his plantation, near Poweltou, October, 1819." 56 MEMOIRS OP bors of Mr. Mercer, may, under God, have contri- buted to this glorious result, the waiter is not prepared to say, yet it can hardly be doubted that more or less of the fruit of his tears and prayers, and faithful in- structions, ^vas mingled ^vith that copious harvest. The revival which commenced in Eatonton in 1827, was not long confined to the place ; it seemed to be the beginning of a blessed and wide-spread religious excitement, which resulted in the addition of some twelve or fourteen thousand to the Baptist churches of Georoia. It might not be improper to state, that in 1824 and '25, the Baptist State Convention (then denominated the General Association,) held its sessions at Eaton- ton. On one of these occasions, Mr. Mercer preached a missionary sermon, which was followed by a collec- tion from the congregation of 8220. The session o the first named year was one of pe- culiar interest. The memory of many Christian friends still living, clings to that occasion with strong and tender fondness, as one of the brightest spots in the range of their spiritual history. The presence and labors of the Rev. Basil Manly, then young in the ministry, who had spent some portion of 1819 with the church as a licentiate, added much to the interest of the occasion. He preached the word with unusual unction and power. Weeping congregations hung upon his lips for three successive days. During his discourse on the Sabbath, a larsfe conoreg^ation were continually bathed in tears. In a letter to the waiter, in which brother Manly refers with much emotion to some of the incidents of that memorable day, he says : " I dare say you will find many in Georgia who recollect the facts. , mono- others, one of the brother JESSE MERCER. 57 Milners was present, whom I remember especially for this, that when we came down out of the pulpit to meet the inishing crowd for prayer, this brother Milner fell on his knees, and began a prayer more remarka- bly tender and melting than any I ever heard ; in which he thanked God that he himself Jiadhad a jnous mother. His prayer was a sort of soliloquy, a tissue of penitence and faith aiid rapture, of supplication and joy and triumph : — and the place was glorious." Whilst connected with the Eatonton church, Mr. Mercer was favored with the co-operation of some brethren of much efficiency and rare Christian worth. Amongst these, stood forth in sticking prominence, the late pious and excellent Thomas Coo]3er. He was baptized by Mr. Mercer in Powelton, in 1811, removed to Eatonton and connected himself with the Baptist church in that place in 1S22, and in 1824 was ordained one of its deacons. Brother Cooper was scarcely less distinguished as a lay member, than Mr. iNIercer was as a minister. In him were joined to a native intellect remarkably clear, discriminating and vigorous, the most excellent qualities of heart ; and all was sanctified by fervent and exalted piety. Three times a day would he retire to commune with God. For the last twelve or fifteen years of his life, this wise and venerable man was an humble pupil in a bible class. His faithfulness, in encouraging, counsel- ling, and if necessary, reproving his brethren, was wor- thy of all praise ; and as a judicious, watchful, conscien- tious, punctual, pains-taking deacon, a brighter model has never appeared in our churches. His pecuniary bounties were scattered over a broad field with a libe- ral hand. For many years before he died, his entire income beyond his necessary expenses was conse- 4 58 MEMOIRS OP crated to pious purposes ; and towards the close of life, his benefactions would sometimes encroach upon his capital. For a long time, to the writer's know- ledge, he contributed annually one hundred dollars to each of some half a dozen religious objects ; whilst his extra contributions of from one hundred to one thousand dollars, (unknown indeed to many,) were not unfrequent. In his last w-ill and testament, the claims of Zion w^ere as sacredly remembered as the children of his own body. Long will it be before we shall see in our midst such a minister as Jesse Mercer, and perhaps as long before we shall see such a deacon as Thomas Cooper. He entered into his rest, July, 1843, in the 73d year of his age. CHAPTER IV. Number of immediate conversions not a certain test of a minister's usefulness. — Mr. Mercer set for the defence of the gospel. — His care to establish his churches in the truth. — Skilful to aid the tempted. — Anecdotes. — His caution in receiving members. — Able disciplinarian. — His manner of presidkig at church meetings. — His punctuality. — No respecter of pcrsans. — His churches benevolent. — Defects in the prevailing system of pastoral labor. — Mr. Mercer in revivals. — His views on revivals. — Ministerial support. — Esti- mation in which he was held. Few ministers in our country have scattered more faithfully and copiously the unadulterated seed of di- vine truth than IMr. Mercer, though it would seem from the preceding sketch, that his labors did not re- sult in the immediate and frequent ingathering of large crowds into his church. There are no doubt JESSE MERCER. 59 many now in heaven, and a goodly number now on their pilgrimage to the promised land, who recognise him as the honored instrument of their conversion ; yet it is highly probable that there have been many ministers of inferior gifts, and of a lower grade of piety, who have been more directly successful in turning sinners from the error of their ways. Those indeed are highly favored instruments whose mes- sages of love the Lord is pleased in an eminent de- gree, to clothe with effectual and convincing power, and whose personal labors he employs in gathering multitudes into the fold of Christ. Every minister should humbly covet this honor, should labor with holy and fervent intensity, for the speedy conversion of his people — of all his people ; and if from year to year, his labors seem unfi-uitful, it should be with him a matter of solemn and honest inquirj% whether there may not be some radical deficiency in his faith and zeal, his preparation and his prayers; or in the man- ner and matter of his communications from the pul- pit; or in his more private labors for the good of souls ; or whether he may not have mistaken his par- ticular and appropriate field of labor. But after all, it must be remembered, that the number of immediate conversions is to be regarded as a very imperfect standard of a minister's usefulness. In the in slather- ing of sinners, we see the result of the combined in- fluence of a. thousand instrumentalities, and for aught we can tell, of a thousand laborers ; and who can de- termine the precise amount of usefulness that is to be put to the credit of each instiiimentality, of each la- borer 1 For the want of just and proper reflection on this point, many eminently pious and useful ministers are often undervalued, and it may be said dishonored 60 MEMOIRS OF by their brethren ; whilst others, whose labors seem to be more directly and visibly successftil, are ca- ressed and praised as the only ones whose sen-ices are to be much esteemed, and by whom the cause of Christ can be well sustained. Who but Omniscience can properly decide the question of relative impor- tance and usefulness 1 There are various departments of labor in the great field which is to be cultivated, and a great diversity of gifts are required that they may all be properly filled. It does not accord with the ari'angements of infinite wisdom that all possible excellencies shall be concentrated in every individual whose duty it may be to preach the gospel ; nor that the usefulness of all should be manifested in the same way. There are some to plant, and some to water ; some to sow and some to reap ; some to lay the foun- dation, and others to carry up the superstructure. Here is a brother who, the first year of his ministry, w^as the instrument in one small neifjhborhood of con- verting a hundred souls. He is highly honored ; we bless the Lord for such a laborer. But who has been the most useful in God's account, he, as the highly fa- vored instrument of their immediate conversion ; or the venerable inan of God, who for twenty or thirty years, poured the lessons of divine truth upon the minds and consciences of the people, and by the faithful training of their moral sensibilities, prepared them for the hearty and saving reception of the gos- pel message ; or the man of caj)acious mind and ex- alted piety, who, a hundred years before, and a thou- sand miles distant, brought into operation a benevo- lent enterprise, by which the gospel was ultimately carried to that community, a church reared up, the regular and long continued administration of the or- JLSSE MERCER. CI diiiaiiccs secured, and many important auxiliary plans brought into healthful operation ] These inquiries are propounded to show how difficult it must be to determine the relative usefulness of those whom the Lord employs as instruments in advancing his cause and kingdom on earth. They are well calculated to furnish those with motives to humility, who are per- mitted to reap large harvests of immortal souls, as well as to present the most cheering grounds of en- couragement to those who sow the seed in darkness and tears ; whilst all should be stimulated to faithful and unwearied efforts in their respective spheres, to promote the gi-eat common cause of righteousness and truth; since they are assured by the infallible word of God, that the toils and sacrifices of each and all are needful in their place ; that their labors shall not be in vain in the Lord, and that the weeping sow- er, and the joyful reaper shall at last meet and tri- umph together. If, in the manner already alluded to, the labors of Mr. Mercer were not as extensively blessed as those of some other servants of Christ, yet in other respects, not less important, ■v\^ien viewed in all their results, he stood uj)on an elevation which has seldom been reached, even by the most gifted and eminent minis- ters in our land. It may be said of him, that, in a peculiar sense, he was set for the defence of the gospel. Its great lead- ing tiiiths he had studied intensely and profoundly; and if in the clear, well-defined, original, and masterly exhibition of these truths from the pulpit, he has had superiors, or even equals, amongst the Baptists of our country, they certainly have been rare. Mr. Mercer took much pains to establish his churches 62 MEMOIRS OF in the truth. He fed the lambs — he fed the sheep. He seemed at all times to entertain a deep and solemn sense of his ministerial responsibility, and kept back nothing which he considered would be profitable to his brethren. He labored under fewer temptations than most men to pass by, or soften down, an unpal- atable doctrine, out of regard to the unreasonable pre- judices of his hearers ; with the true spiiit of Christian boldness and intrepidity, he iT)se above the frowns of men, the complaints arrd cavilling of the carnal heart, and proclaimed fearlessly, though affectionately, the message which he had received from the Lord. He studied duty; consequences he left with the Master whom he serv^ed. By frequently presenting, in their scriptural connexions, those doctrines which have been most condemned by the unregenerate, and which sonietimes are converted into stumbling blocks by weak believers, his people were generally convinced that they were doctrines that tended to godliness ; and even those of his stated hearei^ whose hearts did not become reconciled to these^ soul-humbling themes, in view of his clear illustrations and overpowering argu- ments, were compelled to regard them as integral and insepai^able parts of the system of revealed truth. Churches enjoying the stated ministrations of such ministers as Mr. Mercer, would not be easily driven about by every wind of doctrine ; happily defended against the sly insinuations of artful deceivers, as weH as the more direct assaults of men of corrupt minds. Let it not be supposed, from what has been said, that Mr. Mercer failed to instruct his churches in the practical duties of Christianity. These, in their place, were faithfully enforced, and often with great pov/er. The readiness of his people to engage in works of be- JESSE MERCER. 63 nevolence, the enlarged views which they took of their relation to a world lying in wickedness and death, af- ford pleasing evidence that there was nothing in the tenor of Mr. Mercer's instructions, calculated to en- courage, amongst his brethren, the spirit of antinomian slumber. Yet being well persuaded that a correct and godly practice must be based upon a sound scrip- tural faith, he was more painstaking than most minis- ters, to establish his hearers in rigrht views of doctrinal truth. The influence of Mr. Mercer's preaching upon the community generally, where he statedly labored, was of a salutary character, tending to the suppression of vice, and the encouragement of quietness, order, and sound morality. It was once remarked by an in- telligent and observing individual, that the standard of morality, amongst the youth connected with Mr. Mer- cer's congregations, was decidedly more elevated than amongst the same class in other congregations in the surrounding country. In explaining to his people the character of a gos- pel church, its materials, its design, its ordinances and laws, he performed the part of a well-instructed scribe. There are multitudes, who well remember with what clearness and ability these various and im- portant subjects were unfolded in his pulpit exposi- tions. " Judge Cobb," says Mr. Sherwood, " who was many years in congress, was a great admirer of his talents and originality. He had incidentally, in a dis- course which was listened to by many of the bar, dis- cussed the subject of baptism. On retiring. Judge Cobb exclaimed to the lawyers in his loud, blunt man- ner, * Who of your ministers can beat that V " He was not ignorant of Satan's devices, and pos- sessed great skill in disengaging the minds of his 64 JIEMOIRS OF brethren from the temptations of the adversaiy. In cases of spiritual distress, his bretliren valued the sympathy and counsel of Mr. Mercer above those of any other man, and almost innumerable were the cases in which, under such circumstances, application was made to him for instruction. We may be excused for referrinof to one or two instances. " I know an old brother," (the instances are presented in the lan- guage of his uncle,) "full fifty years of age, and who had been for twenty years a member of the church, that got into great darkness and distress about his spiritual state ; so much so, that he mounted his horse and rode twenty-five miles to lay his case before him. He found him at home, and soon contrived to draw him aside, when, with gi^eat concern, he told his errand, and in conclusion, remarked, ' I would not, for a thou- sand worlds, say that I am a Christian^ * Would you,' said he, * for as many worlds, say you are not a Christian ]' * No, I would not.' ' Do you believe the devil suggests to one deceived, that he is deceived, and strives to convince him of it?' * Certainly not.* *Do you not believe he often worries the Chiistian by such suggestions, persuading him that he is de- ceived, and in proof of it, calls to his mind his daily departures from the j)ath of rectitude and purity V * No doubt of it.' By this short category, and by nar- rating some of his ovm. trials, the brother was greatly relieved, and went home with a light heart. " Another brother, who had not been long in the church, while reading the scriptures regularly through, was greatly shocked at many of the heinous sins of the saints of old, particularly some of the acts of Lot and of David. He inquired within himself, how could holy men commit such deeds 1 Could the vilest of JESSE MERCER. 65 sinners do worse ] He reasoned upon the matter, until }ie was almost persuaded that religion was a farce, and the scriptures an imposture. Whilst ho was in great distress, he had an interview with my nephew, and communicated the whole to him. * Why,' said he, * if the scriptures had recorded none but vir- tuous and holy acts of the ancient saints, they would not have met my case ; but they give an honest and im2:)artial history of their lives ; their bad and their good acts are alike recorded, and From their weak- ness I gather strength.' The brother received the explanation, and found its application in himself, and though living to this day, has not since been annoyed by such reflections." In receiving members into the chuixh, he exercised a pi-udent caution. Whilst he would not throw im- pediments in the way of the worthy and deserving, he was not favorable to that incautious haste with which some ministers huny individuals forward to baptism. He desired to find, in every case, a sound scriptural experience. That comfort which is preceded by clear and profound views of the evil nature of sin, and the awful plague of the human heart, in connex- ion with a proper conception of the plan of salvation by a crucified Redeemer, afforded him gi-eat satisfac- tion. He once exposed and rebuked some mistaken notions of Christian experience in a rather singular manner, and yet in a way quite in character v/ith him- self. An individual came before the church for the purpose of giving some account of what he conceived to be the dealings of God with his soul. He had con- siderable to say about his own tenderness and feeling, and seemed to lay much stress on that fact, without being able to give a very satisfactory account of the 4* 66 MEMOIRS OF reason why he felt so much. Mr. Mercer related ar/ anecdote. " When I was a boy," said he, " my father sent me out into the woods to call up the stock. I took my wallet of com and went out, and to amuse myself, called the swine in a very sad and melancholy tone. As I was proceeding in this way, the first I knew I found myself weeping at the mournful sound of my own voice." The application of the circum- stance was not difficult. The individual concerned, and all present, were very forcibly reminded, that mere tenderness and animal excitement, foim but a small part of Christian experience. In expounding and caiTying into practical effect the principles of gospel discipline, Mr. Mercer was truly a master in Israel. He had studied the regulations of the Saviour for the government of his church with the greatest attention, and though, upon every point, his decisions ma}'- not accord with the opinions of all his brethren, yet on the whole, he must be regarded as one of the most judicious, correct, and able expound- ers of discipline, that has ever been connected with the Baptist denomination. With just and sound views upon nearly every subject connected with the govern- ment of the church, he united an admirable talent for adiTtinistering that government wisely and efficiently. He generally acted with great faithfulness, firmness, and decision, feeling that for the proper exercise of the ministerial authority, which he had received from the great head of the church, he was to be held ac- countable. " He used frequently to impress on his brethren," says a Christian friend, **in regard to dis- cipline, the importance of straight-forward business, and not to delay when matters were ripe for settle- ment. He was opposed to ' dodging,' and attempts JESSE Mercer. 67 at creeping out of responsibility. ' It does not be- come the gospel. If I go according to the scriptural path,' he would observe, ' I am safe, whether we ex- clude or retain.' " He presided at his church conference meetings with much gravity and ministerial decorum ; calling up business according to some just method, and not allowing questions under consideration to be entan- gled and swallowed up with extraneous matter. Dur- ing the discussion of a subject, irregularity and dis- order seldom went unreproved ; *' even the whispers of an old sister," says one, "could scarcely escape a reprimand." A listless and languid manner of attend- ing to the business of the Lord, he greatly disap- proved. Many years ago, the clerk of one of his churches was calling over the names of the male members pi-eparatory to the adjournment of the con- ference. It was a cold day and a cold church. The members answered to their names in such a lifeless tone of voice, that they could scarcely be heard; and in some cases, the languid answer would not come until the name had been two or three times repeated. The clerk, however, patiently continued to call the names, and attentively to listen for the answers, until he had finished tlie list. Mr. IMercer, whose head all the while had been hanging very low, arose from his seat with much concern on his countenance, and gravely said, *' u:cll, hretlircn, if your 'religion is as weak as your voices, it is icealz indeed ; let us pray," The reproof was deeply felt, and duiing the prayer, which was the concluding service, many heavy groans were heard, apparently acknowledging the justness of the minister's rebuke. " Its good effects," adds the naiTator of the above circumstance, ** were mani- 6S MEMOIRS OF fest for a great while, and I doubt if its influence is entirely lost to this day." Mr. Mercer was remarkably punctual in meeting all his appointments. It would be difficult to find a brighter example in this respect, in the whole history of ministerial labor. Nothing but sickness, or some other unavoidable necessity was ever allowed to keep him from his meetings, or even to delay his arrival at the appointed place later than the usual hour. Small impediments he found no difficulty in sunnounting. For instance, if he came to a creek swollen to a dan- gerous torrent, he could strip his horse, drive him across the stream, and with his saddle and saddle-bags on his back, search out for himself a crossing place on some log or fallen tree. This he once did on his way to a Saturday meeting at Bethesda. At the next monthly meeting, some of the brethren in making their excuses for absence at the previous conference, observed that they started for the meeting, but upon finding the creek impassable, they returned. " If you had waited a little longer," replied Mr. Mercer, " I would have shoicn you the way.^' No man was better qualified than he, to show to others the way in regard to the prompt and exact discharge of duty. On ano- ther occasion, after he had been for a long time en- gaged in the ministry, he was travelling in his carnage, and was compelled, by high waters, to turn aside from his meeting, a4?d spend the Sabbath at the house of a pious Baptist sister. He seemed very restless, and often walked the house in great apparent disquietude* The kind sister inquired into the cause of his uneasi- ness. " Ah," said he, " I feel like a fish out of water; this is the very first time, since the commencement of my ministry, that I have been absent from public j£SSfi MERCER. 69 worship on the Sabbatli, when my heaUh would allow my attendance." He was equally punctual in his attendance on the business meetings of his brethren, where his presence was expected ; and when present on such occasions, he was not like niany, who hurry business through to a premature conclusion, or break abruptly away be- fore it is finished ; he could find time and patience for the due consideration of every important matter, and seldom left till the business of the meeting was all properly disposed of. In his intercourse with his brethren, he was no re- specter of ^icrsons ; there was great unifonnity in the manner in which he treated the rich and the poor, tho ignorant and the more refined. When he visited his more distant churches, he would spend his nights, first with one, and then with another, without regard to the distinctions of rank and wealth ; leaving none any gi'ound to make the complaint, which is sometimes urged against ministers, that he was ahvays careful to search out those places wdiere he could get the best suppers and the most comfortable bedding. It has already been intimated, that Mr. Mercer's churches were forward to acknowledge the claims of benevolence. In this respect, they stood in the front ranks. His own bright example, his frequent ajipeals from the pulpit, and his private, personal applications to persons in and out of the church, were generally successful in securing a respectable tribute for the treasury of the Lord. He accomplished less by the agency of societies, than many have done, thinking it best, in the general, for the churches, as such, to act as benevolent societies, without too many separate or- ganizations. Where churches, however, were divided 70 Memoirs of* in sentiment as to benevolent operations, or were not disposed to act efficiently, he was ever forward to en» courage these other auxiliary measures. So many churches were resting upon his pastoral care, and so large was the territory to be occupied by his ministry, it would appear next lo impossible for Mr. Mercer to perform all those labors, and carry into complete, practical operation, all those plans, which would seem to be important to meet all the spiritual wants of his peoj)le. The sick could not always be visited ; intimate and frequent personal intercourse could not be kept up with the scattered members of his various flocks ; and on this account, their spiritual wants being in some respects imperfectly understood, there could not have been as perfect an adaptation of ministerial instruction to all the varied necessities of his people as would have been desirable. And how could it be expected, that in the number of discourses which he delivered to his several churches, notwith- standing the rich and faithful instructions which they contained, there could be imbodied, without a mira- cle, that unbroken compass and full variety of scrip- tural truth, so important for the ^j'cr/lr^/w^ of the saints, and the comj)lete edifying of the body of Christ. Never can the churches be brought up to their ma- tured strength and glory, until there is poured upon them a more complete and powerful concentration of pastoral labor and influence, than is allowed by that scattered, diluted system, which too generally prevails in our southern churches. In addition to the evils al- ready hinted at, the system has a direct tendency to prevent the proper improvement and useful employ- ment, of many of our ministerial gifts. The churches, being too well satisfied with their monthly supplies. JESSE MERCER. 71 an order of tilings which, in many instances, originated in the peculiar necessities of our denomination in the early settlement of the country, have very naturally been disposed to seek the services of the most popu- lar preachers, though they might reside twenty, or fifty miles distant, and overlook the less improved and shining gifts springing up in their midst. Had these gifts been properly nurtured, the churches might have had an ample supply of useful pastors ; and en- joying the constant ministrations of faithful men, though of but moderate abilities, how much more healthful would have been their condition, than with the occasional and desultory labors of more gifted ministers. But this system, which would have called at first for a little more patience and self-denial, and perhaps pecuniary aid, did not suit the taste of our brethren : " Give us at once the fruit from those choice vines, and if we can obtain but now and then a small supply, we shall be satisfied. We had rather have the monthly labors of Abram Marshall, or James Arm- strong, or Jesse ?>Iercer, than the constant attendance of brother such a one, and brother such a one." What was the consequence 1 The branches of our noble vines were spread over such extended fields, that their rich finiit fell in scattered clusters ; whilst many pious and precious brethren, that, with sufficient encourage- ment, might have risen to respectability, languished in the shade. The subject of this memoir has been heard to lament the evil ; and it is more than probable, that this consideration was not overlooked, when, in sub- sequent years, he was induced to limit his labors to a nan'ower field. But notwithstanding what has juct been said, it is with peculiar satisfaction the writer records the fact, that but few ministers in our country *12 MEMOIRS Of have more fully and faithfully occupied a field of the same extent. Before advancing years and bodily in- firmities called for some relaxation, he was in labors abundant. A formal, monthly visit to his churches^ was far from meeting his views of ministerial duty ; he spent a large portion of his time in holding meet- inofs in contio^uous and intermediate neig:liborhoods» sometimes preaching day and night for weeks in suc^ cession. By these zealous and multiplied labors, some of the evils of the system complained of were greatly mitigated ; much precious seed was scattered far and wide ; multitudes w^ere brought under the in* fluence of Mr. Mercer's wise instructions, and not a few were aroused by his warnings to timely reflection, and induced to flee from the wrath to come. " He always," says a friend who sat many years under his ministry, " wore an aspect of deep solemnity in times of revival, seemed to feel deeply his respon- sibility, and to take the sincerest interest in the salva- tion of his hearers, especially such as were mourning and weeping on account of their sins, and crying, \vhat shall We do to be saved] On such occasions, he would hold on, and preach, exhort, and pray, night and day, warning the unfeeling and impenitent, and instructing and encouraging the humble and contrite. On the part of the latter, I have obseiTed him when he would apparently j)our forth his Vv^hole soul in prayer, at the same time calling to their minds the in- vitations and promises of the gospel ; and so deeply would he feel, and so solemn and devout would be his exercises, that the whole con sfre station w^ould be wrapped in the profoundest silence. Many were brous^ht to the knowleds:e of the tiTith throuo-h his in- o o c strum entality, and such was his constant zeal, his se- JESSE MERCER. 73 rious deportment, and devout conversation, that he seemed to give tone and depth to the revivals in which he was engaged." From the foregoing, it is evident that Mr. Mercer was a behever in the reality and desirableness of re- vivals of religion, and that he labored to encourage and promote them amongst his churches. How often and feelingly he repeated the quotation, ^^ Lord, revive us, Lord, revive us,^^ in his letters to pious friends, many can well remember. He probably depended more upon the stated and uniform administration of the means of gi'ace, and less upon special and extra- ordinary efforts, than many of his brethren ; yet upon all suitable occasions, he was ready to assist at pro- tracted meetings, and he generally brought to them a fervent, prayerful and anxious heart. On such occa- sions, he never lost sight of the absolute necessity of the Spirit's influence to give efficacy to the means of grace. This sentiment seemed to be interwoven, in the most complete, scriptural, and engaging manner, with his prayers, his exhortations and preaching. Every thing like glorying in men and measures, to the for- ge tfulness of human weakness, and the glory of God, his humble, holy spirit, deeply deplored and sincerely loathed. He had no fellowship for forced, unnatural, and mechanical efforts to move the symj^athies, ** a7id get lip a revival^ Every thing boisterous, confusing and disorderly, in the progress of religious meetings, was abhoiTent from his judgment and feelings. " Let every thing be done decently and in order," was the rule which he inculcated on others, and by which his own course was habitually governed. Some of Mr. Mercer's views upon the subject of revivals may be learned from the following extracts 74 MEMOIRS OP from a communication published in the Christian In- dex, in 1832 : " I have little difficulty with C. S. A. in all he has said of ' Christian obligation,' in regard to revivals. I would not take a jot or tittle from it, but still I do not admit that a revival is the result of this obligation, performed in its most pure degree, but rather that the highest state of practical godliness, which we ever witness, is produced by the revival it- self. I think it probable your excellent correspondent and I do not understand each other. He seems to have his eye fixed on the practical, while mine is in- tensely directed to the radical cause. He is looking at the issue of living waters ; I am examining for the reservoir of divine power and efficacious grace. * * * ** When men grasp the means, even of God's ap- pointment, with a design of accomplishing the end, both shall be nothing, except it be to produce Islnnael- ites — so)is of tlie ficsli. It is one thing for men to take hold of the means, as agents, and go to work like Jehu, to show their zeal for the Lord of Hosts ; and quite another thing to go forth with equal zeal, but with entire dependence on the power that moves them, like the axe, or saw, shaken by the hand of a cunning workman. I have seen, (as it appears to me,) too much leaning to the efficiency of means, (or to the suf- ficiency of human ability to comply,) if they were faithfully plied. Thus the success of some ministers in the conversion of sinners, more than others, has been merited into the difterence of mode used in ad- dressing them. As if, [were] the means rightly used, and sinners properly addressed, the success would necessarily follow, which to me robs God of his glory. " What we often hear of getting tip and continuing revivals, seems to be too of the same sort. As if, JESSE MERCER. 76 whenever Christians will unite in, and faithfully use the means, a revival will of consequence follow ; which renders the cause of the conversion of sinners, into xhefaitJiful use of the means, or holds God de- pendent on his people for the success of his gospel. Not but Christians ought to live always in the faithful discharge of e^'ery duty, looking to God for his re- viving grace, to give effect to all their efforts. But I fear that revivals are too often gotten up in appearance only. That Satan, the better to effect his purposes, assumes tJie angel of ligJit, and does wonders by the slight of men, I doubt not. When God works, Satan goes to work also. Thus it may be in revivals ; a gi'eat wind, followed by earthquake and fire, may rend the mountains and break the rocks of human passions, while God may pass on only in milder forms of divine power, at which the prophets of the Lord wrap their blushing faces in the mantle of humble acknowledg- ment. My desire is, that in the use of the means, whether for the revival of grace, or the awakening of sinners, lie that glories, may glory in the LiordT It has already been noticed, that in the early part of Mr. Mei'cer's ministry, he received but little joecu- niary assistance from his churches ; at a later period, as their resources improved, and they became better instructed in their duty, they afforded him a more • ready and liberal compensation. Believing that it was a part of God's declared wall, that he that preaches the gospel should live of the gospel, he was not afraid nor ashamed, on suitable occasions, to remind his brethren of their duty in this particular. The crim- inal backwardness of the churches in contributing of their carnal things to those who minister to them in spiritual things, he attributed, in a great measure, ta 76 MEMOIRS OF the unfaithfulness of ministers in not expounding to their brethren this portion of the counsel of God- But whilst he would have the churches discharge their duties to their pastors, he was very far from en- courasrinor his ministerinor brethren in the neglect of their solemn obligations. He would have them de- vote themselves wholly to the work of the ministry, casting themselves with a generous confidence upon the liberality of their brethren, and exercising, at all times, unshaken faith in the promises of the Lord. ** It was a custom with him," says President Sher- wood, (to whom the writer of this memoir is indebted for much valuable assistance,) '' to reason with his ministering brethren for their want of faith, especially if they engaged in secular pursuits, to the neglect of their sacred profession. * There is no trust in God,' he would say, * if a certain salary is secured you. Go out to labor in the Lord's vineyard constantly, and he will see to the support of your family.' If it were objected that some had tried it, and a sufficient sup- port had not been furnished, he would answer, that it was a half-hearted kind of faith, by which such were actuated, and not unshaken confidence in God, else a failure would not have happened." In this connexion, a short extract fiom a letter writ- ten to the Rev. B. Manly, Nov. 13, 1825, might not be inappropriate. " I am very much pleased," says he, " with the resolution you have formed, both as it respects your continuance where you are, and the making a fair trial ' whether a minister of Christ can- not be supported on gospel principles.' The views you take in regard to going to Philadelphia, (and I will add to Charleston,) are very ijroper ^nA forcible. As it respects the 'fair trials you must not be too JESSE MERCER. 77 soon discouraged. And you must lay it up in your heart, (and Mrs. M. too,) that many temptations and gi'cat tribulations will come to your lot, and you will suffer many things, which ^fashionable world around you, and those lusts which war in your members, which are unsanctified as yet, will call privations ; so that you must be willing- to suffer, taking for your example, the Lord Jesus and his ajiostles." At this point, might it not be well to pause a mo- ment and solemnly inquire, if there has not been a gi'eat fault amongst ministers touching the important subject just brought to view. The churches, espe- cially in the Baptist denomination, have no doubt in- volved themselves in great criminality, by neglecting to provide properly for the temporal support of their pastors ; but does charity and truth forbid us to sup- pose, that this may often have been peraiitted by the Lord, as a just, though painful retribution to ministers for their worldly-mindedness and want of faith. They often complain of the churches, but in all cases are they certain that by faith, by enduring hardness as good soldiers, by a reasonable and patient continuance, by a prayerful, hearty, and entire devotion to their work, they have proved what the churches would do for their support, or rather, what the Lord, in his faith- fulness and love, would do for them ] Can there be any doubt but what, if our young brethren would bring to their work more of that zeal, and energy, and " martyr sjpirit^^ which characterized the labors of apostolic days, and which Christ requires of all his ministers, and cast themselves upon the promises of God, and the Christian generosity of their brethren, a more ample and certain support might be expected % The labors of such ministers would be valued and 78 MEMOIRS OP sought for ; such devoted sers'ants would be esteemed very highly in love for their work's sake ; and the churches, being abundantly comforted and edified by their ministrations, might be reasonably expected, in return, to communicate more liberally of their tempo- ral supplies. Are all those, who have made experi- ments and failed, certain that they have made *' a fair trial V Are they certain that they have not made it with " a hoJf-hearted kind of faith V When a min- ister is too soon discouraged, distrusts the Lord, and distrusts his brethren, and, to provide for his temporal wants, hastily, and incautiously encumbers himself with those wordly cares, which leave but a fragment of his time, and heart, and hands, for the duties of his calling, is it strange that his church, or churches, half- taught, half-disciplined, should fall into error on their part, and by their parsimonious policy, at last rivet permanently upon his hands, those fetters, which, in part at least, he had prepared for himself? There is no doubt a double fault : the ministers are in fault ; the churches are in fault ; and it becomes both churches and ministers to bemoan the evil which ex- ists, and seriously inquire into the causes which have produced it, and the remedies by which it might be healed. But to return to Mr. Mercer and his churches. It would be improper to close this chapter without say- ing something of the estimation in which he was held amongst the people where he labored. On this sub- ject, facts would justify the use of the strongest ex- pressions. Never was a minister more immoveably rooted in the respect, confidence, and affection of his people. There were many like the Galatians, who would have been ready, as it were, to have plucked out JESSE MERCER. 79 their eyes and given them to him ; though, unlike the Galatians, their good will and devotion endured to the end. To all classes of the community he was an ob- ject of deep interest. Childhood and youth looked up to him with filial awe ; manhood and old age were ever ready to do him honor. The wise regarded him with admiration ; whilst the most illiterate could see enough in him to revere and love. Though he was a terror to evil doers, yet the profligate and profane, who would stand abashed in his presence, or even hide themselves from his view as he passed along the streets, would speak of him in terms of exalted com- mendation. Nor was it strange that all this should be so. Such an exhibition as he made, for a long series of years, of high intellectual power, sound, discriminating judgment, engaging and amiable virtues, strict and un- bending integrity in all his dealings with men, and above all, of sincere, honest, and undeviating devotion to the cause of his Divine Master, would naturally secure to him the position which he occupied in the hearts of his brethren, and the estimation of his fellow-citizens at large. He had his faults, and he had his enemies ; but the former were small in comparison with his vir- tues ; and the latter could never dislodge him from the affection and confidence of the people. The fol- lowing extracts from a letter written by one of his intimate friends, on hearing a report of Mr. Mercer's death, (which, however, soon proved to be erroneous) may serve as an illustration of the respect and attach- ment which were felt for him by those who knew him best. 80 MEMOIRS OP " Neiu-Yorh, 25th Aug., 1819. "Reuben T. Battle, Esq., " My Dear Friend : — On Monday last * * * I re- ceived from my son G. the melancholy tidings of the death of Rev. Jesse Mercer. I have one, and only one method, by which I can commmiicate my feelings on this awfully solemn and melancholy occasion, which is by referring you to your own feelings on the memorable 7th August, 1819, when this great herald of his IM aster — the faithful pastor of the church of Christ — the sincere and unassuming^ Christian — the lovely, loving and beloved friend — the kind and manly husband — the fiiendly neighbor — the sound and punctual dealer — your and my particular friend, made his exit from this world of sorrow and misery, to inhabit that heavenly mansion which his blessed Saviour had prepared for him. * * We know not how to estimate a blessing but by its loss. Oh, my dear Reuben, how shall we sustain the stroke ! New- York, and all the beauties of the north, are to me now worse than blanks : my Mercer is gone ! Oh, how often did his expressive eyes, (now sealed in death,) swim in tears, giving evidence of the ardor of his soul, whilst his humble and plaintive voice, with indescri- bable pathos, strongly supplicated the throne of grace for my poor soul, and the souls of my dear family, that we might be partakers of those invaluable bless- ings, which he himself so richly enjoyed. * * * " I am anxious to see Powelton and its inhabitants ; but oh, what shall I do, Mercer is gone ! The great Head of his church surely has a controversy with his people, or he would not so soon have called his ser- vant home. Oh, my friend, what shall we do, our Mercer is gone ! I shall leave this now dreary city JESSE MERCER. 81 to-nioiTOW. My respects to poor Mrs. Mercer and your family, Dr. Battle, and other friends. " Yours, truly, " Isaiah Tucker." ''Philadelphia, 28iA Atig. 1319. ** Dear Sir : — *' After having written the preceding lines in New- York, I concluded to come on and put it in the P. O. here. Dr. Holcombe shows me a letter from Fran- ces, three days after date of Germain's, and mentions a report contradicting that of Mercer's death, but that his physicians had given him over. Oh, my heart trembles in suspense ; but my hope is small indeed. I have written on to Germain to strew the road before me with letters, that I may be in possession of facts as soon as possible. " Yours, I. T." CHAPTER V. Mr. Mercer's labors on his journeys from home, at Associations, &c. — Circulates useful books. — His Cluster. — Extracts from hU Correspondence. — His relation to political affairs. In estimating the extent and value of Mr. Mercer's ministerial labors, we are by no means to confine our attention to those bestowed upon his churches, and regions immediately contiguous. The destitution of more distant communities called forth his bciieyolent and useful exertions, and ofi;en, either in company with other zealous preachers, or by himself, he would 83 MEMOIRS OP make lengthy excursions, proclaiming with great power the gospel of the kingdom. He not only trav- elled extensively in his own state, but often extended his routes into neighboring states. There has already been an allusion to his visit to North Carolina in com- pany with his father. Most of the year 1799 he spent in travelling and preaching in the states of South Car- olina, North Carolina and Virginia. On this tour he travelled upwards of three thousand miles. He also visited the city of Charleston once or twice, preached with much acceptance to the people, and was much gratified with the Christian intercourse he there en- joyed with his Baptist brethren. Besides attendins;- the annual meetings of the Geor- gia Association, and the State Convention, he was in the habit of visiting regularly, for several years, the Hephzibah, Sare23ta, and Ocmulgee Associations, and occasionally several others in the state, and in South Carolina. On his way to these bodies, as well as on his return, he generally preached from place to place, always ready to embrace every opportunity to unfold the excellency of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. The great respect v/hich was everywhere entertained for his Christian and ministerial character, generally secured laro-e and attentive c on orre stations : and there are multitudes still living, who cherish, with peculiar delight, the remembrance of these occasional visits. At the annual meetino-s of these various religious bodies, he might be said truly to magnify his office, as a zealous and able minister of the New Testament. They were occasions well calculated to waiTn his af- fections, to arouse his intellectual powers, and unlock his rich store-house of Christian experience and scrip- tural knowledge. There would he often meet some JESSE MERCER. S3 -of the aged veterans, with whom he had been associ- ated in the trials, and toils, and sacrifices of his youth- ful ministry. There would he find himself sur- rounded by many, who, in times past, had been con- victed under his preaching, or conducted by him to the Saviour's feet, or comforted by him in some sea- son of peculiar affliction, or ushered by his kind and fatherly attentions into the ministry, or had received some other spiritual benefit from his stated or occa- sional ministrations. There also would be many, who had been familiar, from childhood, with the name of Jesse Mercer, but had never before been permitted to gaze upon his venerated forai, and who were more anxious to hear something from his lips than from those of any other minister living. Though he sought not the highest scat, yet the respect and affection of his brethren, generally assigned it to him ; he was almost invariably appointed to preach when he would have an opportunity of addressing the largest congre- gations. At such times, he would select some weighty doctiinal theme, or perhaps a subject that would lead him to discuss the merits of some of the leading be- nevolent operations of the age ; and cheered by the countenances of his brethren, and roused by the pre- sence of a vast and attentive assemblage, he would bring to his work the thoroughly awakened strength of his devout affections, and his original and power- ful mind, and pour forth his instillations with such clearness and force of argument, and with such sweet and tender pathos, as seldom failed to make a deep and lasting impression upon the assembled multitude. These occasions were highly valued by his minister- ing brethren ; and those preachers must have made great advancement in the knowledge of divine things, o4 MEMOIRS OF who were not the wiser at the conclusion of his dis- courses. They were often entertained with such a lucid illustration of deep and difficult subjects, such a masterly exposure of error, such a satisfactory so- lution of perplexing cases of conscience, such a rich and delightful exposition of Christian experience, as could hardly fail to increase their store of scriptural knowledge, give a fresh impulse to their investiga- tions, suggest "new and profitable trains of thought, and thus tend greatly to benefit them in their subse- quent ministerial labors. Few preachers could be named, who, in this way, have exerted a more power- ful influence upon the minds of other ministers ; and it is through this channel that we are to search for much of the lasting and greatly extended usefulness of IMr. Mercer. In 1317 he attended the General Convention in Philadelphia, travelling through the Atlantic states in his own carriage, and preaching very frequently both going and returning. He also attended the meetings of that body in 1820, 1826, and 1835. By the appointment of the General Convention, he and Mr. Sherwood, in 1823, visited the Valley Towns Mission Station in North Carolina. His wife accom- panied him, as she did on many of his journeys ; and their carriage passed over hills and mountains, which had never before witnessed such a conveyance. Whilst at the Valley Towtis, Mr. Mercer had an op- portunity of preaching to the Indians, through an in- terpreter. In making an estimate of the ministerial labors of Mr. Mercer, we must not omit the vast amount of ser- vice which he rendered at ministers' meetins:s, at the ordination of ministers, the constitution of churches. JESSE MERCER. 85 the anniversaries of various benevolent societies, and the almost numberless protracted and general meet- in irs, which he attended durinof his lonf? and luminous career of more than half a century. On all such oc- casions, his presence and aid were most highly valued, and the salutary influence of his prayers and instmc- tions uniformly felt. Auxiliary to these labors, he was in the habit, for many years, of keeping on hand a small assortment of useful religious works, such as Fuller's, Buck's, Life of Mrs. Judson, &c., which he carried wdth him on his numerous preaching tours, and sold to such as could be induced to purchase. In this way, he encouraged amongst his brethren a taste for useful reading, and brought into circulation a large number of valuable publications. Finding a gi'eat want of hymn books for the use of the rapidly increasing churches, he compiled a small work called the *' Cluster^ This work was first pub- lished, unbound, in Augusta : subsequently two more editions were published in the same place, which were bound ; amounting in all to two thousand five hun- dred copies. Whilst attending the General Conven- tion, in 1817, in Philadelphia, he published a revised edition of two thousand five hundred copies, and had the copyright secured. Editions were also published in 1820, 1826, and 1835. In this hymn book are to be found many valuable hymns, with other pieces less interesting : with some imperfections, it has, never- ^ theless, had an extensive circulation in many paits of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and has comforted the hearts and animated the devotions of thousands of the saints of God. The work contains several hymns of his own composition, not, however, greatly distin- 86 MEMOIRS OF guislied for their poetical excellence ; for neither na- ture nor art ever bestowed upon Mr. Mercer the at- tributes of a poet. The following is inserted as a favorable specimew of the few hymns which Mr. Mercer composed. It appears in the Cluster as the second part of the 235tb hymn : " Resolving thus, I entered irr, Though trembling and depressed p I bowed before the gracious King, And all my sins confessed. " Sweet majesty and awful grace. Sat smiling on his brow ; He turned to me his glorious face,.. And made my eyes o'erflow.. ** He held the sceptre out to me". And bade me touch and live ; I touched, and (O, what mercy free !) He did my sins forgive. ** I touched and lived, and learned to love. And triumphed in my God ; I set my heart on things above, And sang redeeming blood. " Come, sinners grieved, with sins distressed,, And ready to despair, Take courage, though with guilt oppresse(^. Jesus still answers prayer.. " Come enter in with cheerful haste ;, You may his glory see • You may his richest mercy taste—— He has forgiven me." JESSE MERCER. 87 Some extracts from Mr. Mercer's correspondence will now be introduced. They ai'e selected from the letters which bear the earliest date of any that have fallen into the biographer's hands ; and one or two of these will form a very natural connexion with the foregoing sketch of his ministerial labors, as they bring to view his sentiments on some of the leading doctrines of the gospel, and his method of meeting the inquiries and difficulties of individuals in a state of concern about their salvation. The writer would here beg leave to obsene, once for all, that there is but little in the letters of Mr. Mercer to gratify the wishes of the critical and fastidious : they are gene- rally written in the most unaffected style, not always with perfect grammatical correctness ; in the main, presenting a just and fair reflection of the plain, sim- ple, transparent character of their author. INIost of those, which will appear in this volume, it is believed will be acceptable, at least to his numerous surviving friends and acquaintances ; as these memoiials will tend to revive, in a pleasing and impressive manner, their recollections of one whom they so much revered and loved. The following letter was addressed to a distant friend, who, in a state of religious anxiety, had sought his counsel : " Grantsville, Green Co., Ga., May 17, 1815. *' My dear Sir : — " According to agreement, I received your very interesting introductory communication, when at Washington last, and have duly weighed its contents ; and now" sit down to make an effort to comj^ly with ^ my promise. May the Lord bless it to your instruc- 88 alEMOIRS OF tion and comfort. You have shown that you have al- ready an improved knowledge in the things which belong to the kingdom of God, and a fervid desire for the righteousness thereof. But still you desire me to direct you into a proper understanding of the gospel. In order to a proper view of the gospel way of salvation, 'tis necessary to entertain just and ade- quate notions of the state of sinful nature from which it delivers, and which makes it necessary. In sinning against God, we have violated his law and come short of his glory, Rom. 3 : 23 ; — are obnoxious to divine wi^ath, and abhorrent to holiness, Rom. 1 : 13, and on ; — and liable to everlasting banishment as our just desert, 2 Thes. 1 : 9. Ps. 28 : 4. Ezek. 7 : 27. This sentence of severe condemnation must be acknow- ledged just, not only as it is legal, but as it is an effort of divine justice to vindicate its own holiness against the total want of it in us. From this view of the case, the loss of the sinner seems inevitable. But God, who is rich in mercy, according to his gi"eat love to- wards us, when we were dead in sin, hath abounded towards us in all wisdom, and pmdence, according to his eternal purpose in Christ, through whose blood we have redemption — the forgiveness of our sins. " Such was the nature of our offence, that it re- quired an infinite satisfaction, or the satisfaction of an infinite Being ; therefore, it became him who should interpose, to be allied to us, and yet possess infi- nite capacities. God hath laid help on one that is mighty to save, in sending Christ Jesus into the world for this purpose ; he being verily our kinsman, yet possessing the fulness of the Godhead bodily, was able to render the violated law such obedience and sufferings as it required, and to give them such JESSK MERCEE. 99 vicarious merit as should be satisfactory to injured, infinite justice ; and so to bring in an everlasting righteousness for the justification of the ungodly, which a just and holy God could not do without such a righteousness, to render him justified in the act. Compare Dan. 9 : 24. with Rom. 1 : 17. 3 : 26. and 10 : 4. God accounting us in Christ, makes him to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemp- tion. Wisdom, whereby we know our danger and remedy: — riglitcousness, whereby we are acquitted from guilt according to law : — sanctification, whereby we are renewed, and saved from the damning nature of sin ; — redemption, whereby our sins are forgiven, and we receive the spirit of adoption in our hearts, crying Abha, Father. 1 Cor. 1 : 30. (Compare Rom. Rom. 3 : 19, 20, with John 17 : 3. Acts. 13 : 39. Ezek. 36 : 25, 20,. 1 Cor. 6 : 11. Titus 3 : 5. Eph. 1 : 7. Titus 2 : 14.) All this Jesus Christ is to him that be- lieveth ; not to him that has any kind of faith, but to him whose faith is the fruit of the Spirit — t/ie gra- cious gift of God. Gal. 5 : 22. Eph. 2 : 8. " You desire me to explain to you your difficult situation, and to give you counsel therein. This I will endeavor to do. You seem to yourself to have the requisite faith in Christ, and to be humhle and sincere in prayer, and yet to be without grace, which staggers you. You seem, notwithstanding your faith and other virtuous exercises, to be barred from the mercy by the justice of God, which has excited won- der. This too has produced the embaiTassment from the doctrine of election, of which you speak. Now, my dear sir, all this arises from a misapplication of these exercises and virtues. 'Tis the common opinion of mankind, that when they become believers in 90 MEMoir*s aF Christ, and make an humble, penitent, and sincere appUcation for gi^ace, it icill folloic. But it never was intended of God, that salvation should follow these as 3 cause, or condition. If it did as a cause, then these \rould supersede the necessity of the merits of Christ ; if as a condition, then salvation would be un- certsdn, if not impossible, because men could really perform no such condition. Besides, such a plan woiald make the sinner a partner in his salvation, and share the honor of it with God, who is ever jealous of his glory, and will not give it to another. " The- light of God has, I hope, so shone into your heart, as to convince you that these are insufficient, and will lead you to know that they are not the rea- son, but the evidence of hope, when they exist in their proper degi'ee, to which yours have not yet come, Yaur faith, ^ good^ as it is, has not yet appropriated the Saviour whom it has apprehended, and therefore leaves you without comfort. The light of nature, or a legal spirit, will endeavor to set you down securely on your present faith and duties ; but an enliglitened conscience will never be satisfied without the sprink- ling af the blood of Jesus, who only can take aw^ay sins. When you are enabled to come to God in your true, though humbling character as a sinner, publi- can-like, you will cease to inquire * whether such prayers as yours can be heard,' or whether any of your exercises may be acceptable ; for then your eyes, ymir dying eyes will be turned to Christ, from whose expiatory sacrifice all pleas for acceptance will be sought and foulld. Then election will open to your view in a new and striking light, a glorious door of hope. You will have been brought to see the ut- ter inapplicability of the conditional plan to you, who %. JESSE MERCER. 91 can neither fulfil the law in works nor faith, and of course your thoughts on such a plan, can only go out to meet despair. But in God's eternal purpose you will see the means as well as the ends alike finished. Here God designs to show mercy to those who seem least to deserve it ; and provides salvation for those who have neither money nor price to obtain it. Ps. 68 : IS. Isa. 55 : 1. Examine the beatitudes in Matt. 5th chaj)ter. Notice to whom the promises apply the provisions of the gospel. The dead, side, j)^^^'^ ^leavy- ladcn, ungodly J and lost. To one brought into these characters by the quickening spirit, the sovereign and free grace of God opens the only sovereign remedy, and anchor of hope. " My coinisel is that you search the scriptures, (John 5 : 39. 2 Tim. 3 : lo, 16.) and attend on the word preached in order to obtain a spiritual understanding. Here you will have pointed out to you your true character, danger and remedy, with all their attendant qualities and consequences. " Be instant in prayer. Not with any view to the virtue of the exercise, but with a due regard to the invaluable worth and indispensable demand of the blessing God may be pleased to afford in answer to it. The nature of the case will suggest the propriety of self-denial, or the forsaking all known sins. But the alarmed conscience, newly roused from its security and negflijrence, cries out w/iat shall I do ? The in- struction afforded in the case of Saul is in point, Acts 9:6; compare 16 : 30, 31. Instruction is necessary to show our right in privileges and dutie#lest we of- fend in the deeds we design should please. As to your baptism, the propriety of it dependi on the na- 02 MEMOIRS OF ture and degi*ee of your faith ; whenever it removes from your conscience the guilt of sin^ by appropriat- ing the merits of Christ, by which the justice of God ceases to bar the mercy oif, and gives you an evidence of interest in divine favor ; then, and not till then, it will be proper for you to give the outward sign. An examination of the scriptures, (a list of which you re- quest me to give,) on this subject wdll afford direction in the pathway of duty, and enable you by the blessing of God to act with propriety. Matt. 3 chap. Mark 16 : 16. Acts 8 : 12, 37. Rom. 6 : 3, 4. Col. 2 : 11, 12. Heb. 10 : 32, is thought to refer to baptism ; if so, it shows the proper time of the duty. 1 Pet. 3 : 21. with many other texts to the same effect, spread over the New Testament. " And now, my dear sir, the goodness of God in Christ Jesus is your only sovereign balm, and his spirit is the physician. And blessed be his adorable name ! he is free, infinitely free in his applications. I hope and pray, if ere this reaches you, you have not obtained a sense of his favor, you will soon be brought into the liberty of the sons of God, when the justice of God will, instead of barring you off, lead you to the love, mercy, and goodness of God, and be the principle of your safety and confidence. And be- lieve me, I am, as I have been and ever shall be, " Yours in the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. "Jesse Mercer." The following letter without date, but probably written aboi^the same time with the preceding, was addressed to a female friend who was somewhat con- cerned upon the subject of religion. JESSE MERCER. 93 " Dear Madam — Some time since the few times I have seen you, I have suggested to myself that there was a seriousness on your countenance indicative of some inward anxiety, and it was most easy to me to suppose it to be about the state of your soul, and the concerns of eternity. I thought of writing to you, but this seemed rather bold. I therefore hesitated. I inquired of your friend Mrs. G., who said you were solicitous to know of religion and its attainment. On stepping in the other day on the very friendly in- vitation of Mr. S., and finding you somewhat indis- posed, and of a solemn though inviting countenance, I determined, and have set down, to address a few thoughts to you on the subject of tlie religion of Jesus. " Now, madam, of all the subjects in the world, this is doubtless the most important. Be it false, and we are without hope. J?e it true, and it is the only hope. It is serious any how. This subject, as it is revealed in the scriptures, proceeds on the consideration of man's being totally lost and ruined in sin, i. e. that he is by nature under the law and curse of God, and so under the sentence of eternal destruction ; which is the case of not this and that wicked man [only,] but even of us all indiscriminately. That such is our state under the moral government of God, universal death and the terrors we feel on the ajoproaches of eternity, will fully testify ; together with an almost endless variety of circumstances, the concomitants of living in this miserable world of sin, which will agi'ee to no other state of thinsrs. But what thai] we do to be saved ] is the question. " Why, madam, indeed if it were not for the gos- 94 MEMOIRS OF pel of Jesus Christ, we should be at so profound a loss, as for ever to be unable to answer this question in any way satisfactory to a troubled mind, which, en- veloped in thick darkness, must have yielded to des- peration under its guilt, without a gleam of hope. But in the gospel, life and immortality break forth, as from the blackest night, in all the effulgence of noon- day glory. Here we see the Son of God clothed in our nature, the nature that sinned, for the express purpose of doing what we ought to have done, and what was indispensably necessary to be done in order to salvation. And now, through him is preached to us the forgiveness of sins, and by him, all that helieve, are justified from all things which they could not by the law, which by sin bad become the administration of death only. To believe this to the saving of the soul, is the fruit of the spirit of grace, bringing us to know God in his glorious justice ; and Christ in his satisfaction (aiising from the works of his life, and the sufferings of his death) so as to deliver the burdened conscience from guilt and teiTor, restoring to us an inward peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ ; and giving a comfortable hope of acceptance into glory. This will at first excite deep, inward, and heart-breaking views of our sinfulness, in relation to God, and unworthiness of his mercy ; and bring us to acknowledge the justness of the divine conduct to- wards us in condemnation. It will next lead to de- sires or hungerings and thirstings for salvation, in some way which may be consistent with the law and justice of God. When it is made known that this is all done in Christ, the soul then looks to him as the only true way to eternal life, with ardent desire, and JESSE MERCER. 96 CorrstaiTt prayer to God for an interest in him, till it pleases God to affV)rd the poor soul the power of be- lieving, or trusting in, and receiving from Christ, a full discharge from his guilt and fears. Then he re- joices as a redeemed prisoner, loves God as his hea- venly Father, blesses Christ as his Redeemer, friend, and brother, has a strong affection for the saints, or such as appear to be real Christians, and is desirous above all things, to live in the favor, and according to the pleasure of God, till death ; and then hopes to be happy with him to all eternity. " How far, dear madam, you have realized these things, is a tender point between God and your own soul. Believe me, your soul is the most precious jewel you have in all your store, and its salvation the most im23ortant of all your concernments. I think . you have [made], do, and will make, these topics your study and prayer, and will never give over till God give, by his Spirit, an inward evidence of your for- giveness, and acceptance through Jesus Christ. And I do, and if God will give the Spirit, will pray that you may, with your dear Mr. S., be successful, and obtain that salvation, which is made and provided of God in Christ for sinners lost and undone. Then you will be blessed here, and happy yonder for ever. " Pardon, dear madam, the liberty I take in ad- dressing this to you, and believe me, I am most cor- dially " Yours, in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, ** Jesse Mercer." ^6 MEMOIllS OP TO MRS. T., OF VIRGINIA. " Powelton, July 6, 1819. ** My Dear Sister: — ** I little thought, when 1 left you and dear Mr. T. in the road, that it would be almost two years before I should write to so interesting and distant friends ; but so it is. I have thought from time to time I would set about it, and give a long letter to my be- loved sister in the Lord ; but still have delayed, partly for want of heart-cheering matter, and partly for want of time and resolution to begin a letter. " Well, now I have begun ; but O what a heart of barrenness I have ! What shall I tell, what shall I write, to afford my sister any comfort, or to animate her afflicted and distressed soul ] Why, let me lead her views to the Rock that is higher than she — the Rock of ages — the precious, tried, and of course, sure foundation for a sinking sinner — the only shelter for one exposed to the flood of divine vengeance. But in this cleft the sinner, the chief of sinners, may be safe and happy ; yea, when * deluges of fiej-y wTath shall drown the world, he may, with a serene soul and dauntless courage, stand and see the last catas- trophe of the wicked. 'Tis a consolation to contem- plate, when all outward good is perishing under the common pressure, when flesh and heart are failing, and even time and nature dying, that there is an un- decaying substance, an unfailing fulness, and a trea- sure that fadeth not av^ay, reserved in heaven for those who love, and look for, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope my sister is training up for glory by the successive afflictions she wades through. J£SS£ MERCER. 97 ♦ For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.' Glory therefore in tribula- tions also. " Religion is in a low degree with us, but I trust there are a few names even amongst us, who shall be counted worthy to walk with the dear Emmanuel in ichite, I would indulge the hope of better times with you. ******** " Give wife's sweetest affections with mine to Mr. T., and other friends with whom we formed any ac- quaintance in Orange. And be assured of our most affectionate and pious wishes for yourself." The following extracts are from a letter to Rev. B. Manly, a short portion of which, on ministerial sup- port, appears on a preceding page : " Powellon, Nov. 13, 1825. ♦' My vert Dear Brother : " I was quite pleased with the obtrusion of your * poor thoughts' on me, which I found waiting for me in the office on my return home last. The time anti- cipated between us, when last together, of passing through Edgefield, was rather, I think, on my way up to the Saluda Association, than to the Convention : however, this was mostly on my mind, and I held it in contemplation till I was taken ill on a journey below Augusta, in June, when I despaired of my anticipated pleasure, and, as soon as I conveniently could, went up into Pendleton, where I might invigorate my health, and be ready to meet the Saluda Association. But in this I was disappointed also. Since that, ray 98 MEMOIRS OP health has been quite uneven, and lately, worse. T am at this moment the captive of affliction. At the Sarepta Association, I became feverish, and ever since I have been the subject of increasing fever till I came to this place, Friday v^as a w^eek ago. On Saturday, at our monthly meeting, I could scarcely preach ; on Sabbath, I only served at the table. Monday, took an emetic, and have been, till now, in a state of j^oor convalescence, unable to get on the way of my ap- pointments ; and am therefore the Sabbath at home, not^ I trust, committing tJie sin which is unto death, in answering my dear brother's kind and much esteemed letter ; the writing of which, I am satisfied, was so far from being ' the sin unto death,' that it was no sin at all. Through the continuance of disease, and the fre- quent returns of fever, I am admonished of being * near the margin, and just ready to psiss the flood.' " As to the opinion you have formed of my talents, I thank you for it ; but I assure you, it is to me, what you so much regret as * a discouraging and very dis- astrous fact,' and therefore must be excused in yield- ing a very sparing promise to your * strong solicitude and desire.' I have, however, come to the detemii- nation, should God lengthen the days of the years of my pilgrimage, to becoine stationary, and to devote my time to reading and study, perhaps some to writ- ing. But my talent for composition is so poor, that I have all along been kept back, and have done very little in that way. On some of the points you men- tion, I ha^e had a desire to write at times ; but seeing the many volumes written on all, I have held a strong rein on it. " Your Convention may rely on a little aid from JESSE MERCER. 99 Georgia ; and I fear it will be but little. The death of Mr. Gillison and Dr. Fumian, I fear will have a very appalling effect on the designs of that body. But if you can feel truly that the Lord of Hosts is with you, you may go forward, for you will be * well able.' I should be happy, could I say in truth some fine things about religion among us ; but I have no such news to send you. Some of my brethren in the new counties are baptizing goodly numbers, as I hear. I hope the Lord is affording you some joyful harvests in your fields of labor. Wife sends her christian affection to you and lady, which, with my own, you will receive in the same spirit, and pass mine over to your second self, and any of the dear brethren about Edgefield. — I have tired myself seve- ral times writing this letter ; I hope you will not faint in reading. Pray for a poor, old, and declining man. Farewell." It will be seen from what has passed under the reader's notice, with what care and conscientiousness Mr. Mercer ever kept in mind the duties of his voca- tion, and brought all his plans into proper subordina- j tion to what he considered the great business of his ' life. It is much to be regretted, that occasionally, some of our venerable fathers in the gospel would become entangled in political affairs, and thus sus- tained much loss in their religious zeal and ministe- ' ; rial influence. Fortunately, through his long life, Mr. Mercer generally kept himself aloof from the I strifes of party politics ; though he did not consider himself excluded by the obligations of his sacred of- Iiice, from the right of forming his own opinions of men and measures, and of expressing these opinions \ cm proper occasions. lOD MEMOIRS OF In 1798, he was a member of the convention whicn was appointed to amend the state constitution. His attendance in that body could not be condemned, as important, fundamental princij)les of government were to be settled, which would not only deeply af- fect the civil and political interests of the common- wealth, but might have a direct bearing on ecclesias- tical affairs. The best talent and influence of the state were needed to give a wise and happy direction to the deliberations of that important body. It was moved, during the session of the convention, by one of the members who, it seems was a lawyer, that ministers be ineligible to the office of legislator, and the motion was warmly urged by both laicyers and doctors. Mr. Mercer moved so to amend the resolu- tion, as that laivyers and doctors should be included. During an adjournment which ensued before the matter was adjusted, Mr. Mercer was visited by some of the members of the body, and urged to drop his amend- ment, as the projectors of the original motion had agreed to yield their ground. To this he assented. About 1816, he was a candidate for the office of senator in the state legislature, but veiy fortunately it may be concluded, he was unsuccessful. For this ■ defeat he seemed ever afterwards grateful. ** This defeat, or something else," remarks Mr. Sherwood, *' convinced him that but few occasions should call down ministers from their elevated office to engage in legislation. He did not wish to see them deprived by enactments, of their rights ; yet thought only the most important crises should induce them to serve their country as political men. For a number of years he obsen^ed he had taken no part even in exer- cising the right of suffi'age, for he said all j^arties had JESSE MERCER. 101 aberrated so far from the constitution, that he could not conscientiously vote for the candidates." "A report went abroad in 1819, that he had drunk for a toast the 9th verse of the 109th Psalm, * Let his days be few ; and let another take his office,' and ap- plied it to the governor. This gained credence, and actually soured the minds of many of his brethren ; * * * but he said he had never drunk a toast on any occasion^ It was, perhaps, in 1833 that some of his friends entertained a serious intention of bringing him before the people as a candidate for goveraor; he was con- sulted on the subject, but would not listen to any such proposal. Some time subsequent to this, he Wcis named in some of the public prints as a suitable person to be chosen as one of the presidential elec- tors ; he refused, however, to accept of the nomina- tion, and his name was withdrawn. In 1&S3, a convention which had been previously summoned by the legislature, agi'eed upon certain amendments to the state constitution, and submitted the same to the people for their approval or rejection. Mr. Mercer regarded the occasion as one of peculiar importance, and in the exercise of what he regarded a sacred right, he published his reasons condemnatory .of the proposed amendments. For this he was cen- sured with some degree of severity. This reproach he met with the following reply : *' In reference to the constitutional question which was proposed to the people, (and to us as well as others,) for their appro- val or otherwise, we did assign our reasons for not ratifying the proposed amendments of the constitu- tion, and permitted them to be circulated; and for this we have been held up to public contempt. As it reojards our single gelf, we care little for it; but as an 102 MEMOIRS OF effort to control the elective franchise, or to disturb the freedom of speech, we denounce it as highly un- republican and prescriptive. We do not at all ap- prove of ministers of the gospel tampering with the every-day politics of the country ; yet on constitu- tional questions, we regard it not only their right, but their indispensable duty, as public sentinels, to be on their watchtower, and guard every article, section, and sentence of that great and only palladium of our civil and religious privileges." CHAPTER VI. Death of Mrs. Mercer. — Mr. Mercer removes to Washington. — A church constituted there. — His second marriage. — Editorial la- bors. — The degree of D- D. conferred on him. — Letters to vari- ous individuals. Mr. Mercer delayed his return from the General Convention in 1826, till the month of Sej^tember. As he was passing through the upper part of South Caro- lina, his estimable and devoted wife was brought low by disease, and on the 23d of the above named month, was called home to her heavenly rest, at Anderson- ville, Pendleton district, in the fifty-fifth year of her age.* For nearly forty years, she had been the sharer * By his first wife, Mr. Mercer had two children. They were both daughters, and were both called Miriam. The first died in King and Queen county, Virginia, Sept. 21st, 1799, aged nine months and twenty-one days. The other died in Green county, Georgia, December 15ih, 1814, aged nine years and eight months. " I was present," says his uncle, *' several times during the illness of the second, and was also at the buiial. He evidently felt deeply, but did not shed a tear." JESSE MERCER. 103 of his joys and sorrows ; and the stroke that termi- nated their long and happy union, was to the survi- vor, a most heavy affliction. But those abundant con- solations and supports, to which he, as an affectionate and faithful minister, had so often pointed the sor- rowful and bereaved, were present for his own relief in this the hour of his calamity — he calmly yielded, for the L ord, his best Friend, had' done it. Subjoined is an extract from a letter to Dr. Lucius Bolles, of Salem, Mass., dated Powelton, October 4th, 1826, in which there is an affecting allusion to the death of his wife, and other afflictions. " I must close by informing you of the melancholy manner in which I returned home. I seemed to my- self like a vessel which had been a long voyage, had met with rude winds and waves, but had rode them all till just coming into port, [when] a storm rose and carried her mainmast, ribboned her rigging, and caused her ^;jrcc20W5 lading to be cast forth into the sea, and she comes to her moorings only with a shat- tered hull. Yes, brother, the influenza hunsf to me and rent me sore in the spring, and other things of a minor consideration made my journey unpleasant. But when I had gained the sight once more of the shore of Georgia, on the banks of the Tugulo river, the bilious fever set hard on Mrs. Mercer, and on the eighth day, say 23d of September, she fell in death. But joyful in hope, she never yielded to fear. I was taken on the day of her interment, and have returned home, contending with the fever ; but I have gotten the victory. I am able to sit up and write through mercy. Sickness prevails to an alarming degree, even in the more healthy parts. I hope the Lord will be with you and bless you. Love to Sister B. and the brethren. Farewell in the Lord." 104 MEMOIRS OP In the foUo-vrag letter to a Christian sister, there is also some reference to the death of Mrs. Mercer : " Sister L 's, Jan. 14, 1827. *' My vert dear Sister in the Lord : — "With much pleasure I received yours yester- day, by Brother Green. My feelings were grieved at our last meeting, because it was so slight. I was busy when you came up, and while I was talking to several about me, lo, you were gone ! I looked for you, hut found, you not. I know not when I shall see you. I, with you, would mourn over the sad state of Zion. I think really we are generally in a sad state of decline. How all is precisely at Countyline, I know not, but fear all has not been right at any time since the times of trouble on account of Thomy.* TiTily we may adopt the petition of the Syrophenician woman, for all our help is in the Lord — in the Lord alone. When I can come to Countyline I know not ; and fear now to come, for I am of the impression, from what took place at Phillips', sundry would not be pleased in my company. This I say in confidence. But this may be a false impression. I fear the brethren are not of a good spirit; but the Lord can remove all evils, both outward and inward. Let us seek unto the Lord, and unto the Lord commit our cause. " I am now poor and needy, the Lord having deso- lated me in a melancholy widowhood. I hope to share in the prayers of my brethren, that I may live the remnant of my days in a manner suited to pro- mote the good of our Jerusalem, and His glory whom 1 hope I serve, and whose I trust I am. I would be glad to write you a full history of my dear departed * Thomas Rhodes. JESSK MERCER. 105 wife's last exercises. Truly the Lord had mercy on her, and not on her only, but on me also. I have great reason to be thankful that she was enabled to triumph over death with all his terrors. She sunk in calm repose without a struggle or a groan. Truly, she never yielded to fear. She was very much lacked with pain in her affliction, and T feared she would have a hard struggle in death ; but she had a soothed passagCy and left a smoothed countenance, rather lovely in death than otherwi.se. She wished to be remembered to all her friends in Georgia, and though she was cut off" from the expected pleasure of seeing them in this life, she [said that she] would soon meet them in a better world, where she would more enjoy tliem than she could here. She had the songs sung, "Jerusalem, my happy home," and "How happy's every child of grace ;" and wished, when she knew herself dying, " The Consolation in Affliction" to be sung, but no one could sing it to her. I read it to her ; she seemed to make it all her own. It is, " In the floods of Tribulation." You may see all these in the Cluster, and read them, and remember her that was dear unto you, and by whom your affection was reciprocated. Remember me to Mr. C. I long for his salvation. If any brethren in Countyline would be glad to hear from me, in your opinion, mention to them my poor name, and request their prayers to God for me. Let me ever share in your efflisions before the throne in secret." From a remark in his letter to Mr. Manly, which the reader has ahcady noticed in the preceding chap- ter, it would seem that Mr. Mercer was beginning to , reflect seriously upon the propriety of confining his laboi*s to a more circumscribed sphere. Being now 6 106 MEMOIRS OF about fifty-seven years old, it was to be expected tbat he would begin to feel the approaching infirmities of age, especially as his natural force had much abated under the influence of disease. The arduous labors which he had so long encountered, and most of the time without injury, were now too much for his de- clining strength ; and he found an additional motive for giving up his itinerant mode of living, in the de- sire he had to increase, by reading and study, his store of scriptural knowledge. It was at the close of 1826, or very early in 1827, that Mr. Mercer took up his residence in Washington, Wilkes county. The circumstances under which he determined to settle at this place, were such as af- forded a veiy striking illustration of his disinterested- ness, and his conscientious adherence to his convic- tions of duty. When his pui*pose was fully matured to give up most of his churches, and provide for him- self a more settled residence, the Powelton brethren, to whom he was most ardently attached, and by whom his affection was fully reciprocated, appointed a com- mittee to wait on him for the purpose, if possible, to secure his permanent settlement with them. They were fully authorized to say to him, that if he would yield to their wishes in this respect, his temporal sup- port should be provided for. It would seem that comfort, interest, and his strong personal attachments, would have dictated a ready compliance. In Wash- ington, there was, as yet, no Baptist Church in exist- ence ; his ministerial services had been less appre- ciated in that community than in any place where he had ever labored, and no inducement was offered in relation to pecuniary support. And yet the impres- sion was deeply riveted on his mind, that there the JESSE MERCER, 107 Lord would have liiin take up his abode. The ques- tion of duty being settled in his mind, nothing re- mained, for him but a ready and. cheerful compliance. For nearly forty years previous to Mr. Mercer's settlement in Washington, he had been in the habit of preaching in that place, generally on week days, about once a month. The house usually occupied for divine service, was an old brick academy, which stood near the dwelling- where Mr. Mercer resided after his second marriage. There were a few scat- tering Baptists in the village and the immediate vi- cinity., yet not enough to justify the organization of a ei- persons to be applied to, allowing each one that subscribed to diesigi:jate the particular benevolent ol> ject to which he wished his money to be appropriated. At a suitable tim^e the -individuals were again called on for the payment of the amounts thus pledged. Some such plan as this, Mr. Mercer greatly prefen'ed to the precarious method, mainly relied on by many of the churches, of having an occasional missionary discourse, and then two or three old hats passed rap- idly through the congregation to receive the little, scanty change, which might happen accidentally to be in their pockets. Many persons, that might satisfy their consciences by throv^dng twenty-five, or fifty cents, into the deacon's hat, when personally ap- proached with a subscription paper, would put dowm from five to twenty dollars. On the llth of December, 1827, Mr. Mercer was united in mari'iage to Mrs. Nancy Simons, widow of JESSE MEKCCR. 109 Captain A. Simons, deceased, and then i>esiding in Washington. His last marriage brought a considera- ble increase to his worldly possessions, and that he might not be needlessly encumbered by secular cares, most of this property was sold, and the proceeds thrown into such investments, as wo^ild yield him a reasonable income, with the least possible inconve- nience and anxiety to himself. Mr. Mercer considered himself truly fortunate in his last maniage. His second companion was no less devoted to his wishes and happiness than the first; possessing a spirit of unbounded liberality, she enter- ed heartily into all his benevolent plans for the ad- vancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and was entirely willing that the avails of her large estate should be consecrated to pious purposes. How plea- sant are such instances of conjugal unanimity in the blessed work of doing good. A more extended notice of Mrs. Mercer will be found in a subsequent part of this volume. After Mr. Mercer's removal to Washington, he found himself placed in circumstances, in many re- spects, suited to his declining years ; yet he did not feel at liberty to sit down in slothful inactivity, and be satisfied with any effort in behalf of the cause of Christ, less than what his health and strength would justify. Besides supplying the church at Phillips' Mill once a month, and the one at Washington the rest of the time, he continued to attend the anniver- saries of the most important bodies of the denomina- tion, and many occasional religious meetings in va- rious regions ; preaching as he had been wont to do on the way from place to place, and wherever he went, cheering his brethren by his sweet and heavenly S^ MEMOIRS OF deportment, and imparting to them in the pulpit, and in their public deliberations, and in the social circle^ the fruits of his matured wisdom. His pen was now employed in keeping up a more regular correspondence with his brethren on matter* pertaining to the interests of Zion, aud in the occa- sional preparation for the press of essays on important subjects. In 1833, the Christian Index, which had been edited for several years by the Rev. W. T. Brantly, at Phil- adelphia, with the approval of the Baptist Board «f Foreign Missions, under whose auspices the paper was first commenced at Washington City, and the de- sire of many brethren, was transferred to Mr. Mercer, This necessarily brought him into a new sphere of eflbrt, and imposed on him much anxiety, labor, and responsibility. The purchase of an office, of a new press and suitable type, subjected him to the expense of between two and three thousand dollars ; and from year to year the partial and tardy returns from his subscribers compelled him to sustain a considerable pecuniary loss. The duties of an Editor were not veiy congenial with Mr. Mercer's taste and feelings : had he been more thoroughly drilled in the art of composing, and his previous habits been more decidedly literary, his task would have been less irksome ; still, though la- boring under some disadvantages, he was enabled to render his paper the vehicle of much useful, solid, re- ligious instruction. The burden of his editorial cares o was much lightened by the assistance of the Rev. W, H. Stokes, who for several years was associated with him as an assistant Editor. His name and character gavo much weigh t to hi& JESSE MERCER. Ill editorial communications, and they generally contain- ed much important tliought, plainly, though often for- cibly expressed. His reputation as a wise counsellor, able divine, and skilful expounder of the discipline of the church, brought to him from his numerous friends and coiTespondents, many queries upon a great va- riety of subjects pertaining to doctrine, duty, church, and associational aftair^. These he generally answer- ed in a sensible, judicious, and scriptural manner, and much to the satisfaction of candid, reflecting minds. Through the columns of his paper, the benevolent op- erations of the day were constantly urged and defend- ed, and in meeting the various objections that have been urged from time to time against them, Mr. Mer- cer displayed a readiness, skill, and originality, that have seldom been surpassed. For some time after the removal of the paper to Washington, its pages contained much controversial matter that was considered objectionable, particularly by the more distant subscribers ; yet the peculiar con- dition of many of the churches and associations in the state rendered this almost unavoidable. Many im- portant and vital questions arose, that it was import- ant to have settled upon scriptural ground ; discussion seemed absolutely necessary ; and though there was often mingled with it a degi'ee of severity and bitter- ness that could not be justified, yet in the result it was evident, that much light had been thrown upon subjects which had before been too imperfectly understood ; and that many of the churches were settling down in a quiet, stable manner, upon more scriptural prin- ciples. In another chapter of this vrork, we shall have occasion to refer more particularly to this subject. The occasion for these unpleasant controversies 112 MEMOIRS OF having in a good degree passed away, the pages of the paper assumed a more peaceful and inviting as- pect, and yielded a larger space to important religious intelligence, and the discussion of such subjects as possessed more general interest. In 1840, the Christian Index, v^th the press and all its appendages, was generously tendered by the pro- prietor to the Baptist State Convention : the liberal donation was accepted, and at the close of the year the paper was removed to Penfield, where it has since been published under the general supei-vision of the Executive Committee. In 1S35, the degi'ee of D. D. was conferred on Mr. Mercer by the Board of Fellows of Brown University. The cordiality with which this honor was conferred, may be learned from a short extract from a letter from the Rev. Lucius Bolles to Mr. Mercer. "In relation to the Degree, I hope it may not be unpleasant. It has been in contemplation for two or three yeare as what ought to be done, provided the thing is proper in any case, and I assure you it was conferred vdth great cordiality ; and for myself I can say, never with more j^leasure." The sentiments of Mr. Mercer on the occasion, may be learned from an extract from a letter to Mr. Bolles, dated Sept. 24th, 1835 ; and from his letter to President Wayland, which immediately follows. " Another matter has turned up and given me some perplexity. The late act of the Fellows of Brown University, in conferring the degi'ee of Doctor of Divinity unanimously on me, has astounded me. To receive the nieritless [unmented] honor, seems hardly just to myself and the cause ; to refuse it is to hold in contempt the kind expression of the sense which my bretliren of high standing entertain of my JESSE MERCER. 113.* character and strvices. I am at a loss to delermine. If I were in the vigor of life, I should surely refuse it ; but as I am nearly worn out any how, it may bo best to let it pass." TO PRESIDENT WAYLAND, " Washington, Sept. 25, 1835. ** Rev. and Dear Sir "■ I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of yours of the 9th inst., informing me, 'that at the late meeting of the Board of Fellows of Brown Uni- versity, the Degree of Doctor of Divinity was unani- mously conferred upon me by that authority ; and that tbe act was duly announced on Commencement day,* and that the same was addressed to me by you, * in the hope that this testimonial of your (the Board's) respect for my character and ser\dces would be ac- ceptable.' " Now, my dear Sir, penult me, through you, to say to the Board of Fellows of Brown University, that, 80 far as it respects themselves, and all whose feel- ings, on this subject, may be in unison with theirs, for this testimonial of respect for my character and ser- vices, from so high an authority, I am grateful, and do accept it with all readiness of mind; but so far as it relates to myself, and the unknowing and unthink- ing multitude, I must beg leave to be excused the acceptance of a rjiecd of praise so rich, of which I feel myself entirely undeserving, and altogether unable to sustain." The title of Dr. w^as seldom given to Mr. Mercer, except by his brethren at a distance. His intimate brethren at home had a kind of instinctive feeling, 6* 114 BIEMOIRS OF that the title did not accord with the simplicity of hi» character ; and they also felt, that the relation between Mr. Mercer and themselves was too sacred, tender, and endearing, to allow the use of such a formal an^ stately epithet. Father^ and Brother^ were the only terms which suited their ears and their hearts, when addressing this eminent servant of Christ. Some extracts from Mr. Mercer's eorresponden€© will concltide this chapter. TO MRS, c. ^" Washington, Sept. 3Gik, 1329^. ••^ Dear Sister C. ** Your kind letter of the 27th came to us thi9 morning ; we were glad to hear from you, though the contents were melancholy. We sympathize with yo3 and Mr. C. in the affliction occasioned by the deaths of dear friends ^and relations. Affliction and death have surrounded us also. ^ # « # *' We hope you may be able to be at the Associa- tion, where we may meet once more. The hymn you mention is good. A similar one has often oc- curred to my mind in troubles ; to wit : ' Goil is mir refuge in fijstress, A ready help when dangers press,' &r, " It is, my dear sister, a comfortable thought that our refuge is God, and everywhere. May the Lord sustain you in all your afflictions, and prepare dear Mr. C. for whatever a gi^acious God has in view for him." JESSE MERCER. Xl^ TO TUE SAME. " Washington, Feb. 2lst, 1830. " Dear Sister C. '* We have received your letters, recounting your and the protracted afflictions of Mr. C. The Lord does not afflict the sons of men nor giieve them in vain. Faith says, ' 'tis all for the best ;' and scripture says, * we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.' If, however, you in weak- ness cannot see how all these trials and miseries can be for good, only be j^atient, and you shall in a little while know all about it. This is to you a time a lit- tle like that spoken of in Zechariah 14th chap. 6th and 7th verses : " And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be deary nor dark ; but it shall be one day, which shall be known to the Lord, not da I/, nor night ; but it shall come to pass that at evenino- time it shall he light.' Also read Isa. 50th chap, and 10th verse, which encourages to trust in the Lord at all times. * * * * *' Tell dear Mr. C. that * to all the living there is hope,' and to call on the Lord while he may be found, and possibly is near ; that now is the accepted time with him, and only possible day of salvation." TO THE SAME. " Washins;ton, AprilJlG/h, 1830. ** Dear Sister C. " Your letter, bearing the melancholy intelligence of the departure of your dear husband, was duly 116 M£MOIRS OF brought us by last mail. The dej)arture of an im mortal spirit is always an occurrence of deep con- cern ; but when it happens in any of our dear inti- mates and close connexions, it is more so ; especially when our happiness in life is intimately bound up in their life ; but still more solemn and interesting and heart-rending, when we cast a longing anxious look on their everlasting flight, and can't see one ray of certain, heavenly light on their passage ! O, how we would rejoice to hear some good word to settle our fears, and give us hope in their final and everlasting state ! ** It seems that your unhappiness is to reflect on a life of many variations and serious changes : — a long and painful illness, at last to have ended without giv- ing you one solid reason [on which] to rest your dis- consolate spirit. Well then, sister Dorothy, there is yet one refuge for your weary soul — resignation to the will of your heavenly Father. He is in the hand of Him who is Judge of all the earth, and will do right with all his creatures. 'Tis yours, (and I hope you ^vill have grace,) to say w^th David, * I was dumb with silence and opened not my mouth, because thou ^Lord) did'st it.' There are many comfortable scrip- tures for the 2vidow ; fly, my dear sister, to the rest which these promises give, and trust in the Lord, and you shall never be confounded, world without end." TO THE SAME. '* Washington, May dd, 1830. •* Dear Sister, "Yours of first inst. was handed us yesterday as we returned from meeting. We truly condole with you in your solitary state, and would do you good if JESSE :\IEUCKK. 117 in our power. But all we can do, is to advise you as JEliphaz did Job, to seek unto God, and unto ?ii?}i to commit your cause; because he doetli great things and unsearchable ; marvellous things without number. You have suffered much, but not so much as many. You have many good and gracious friends, whilst many are friendless, as well as propertyless. You know the way, and you must walk in it, and you will find peace to your soul. "You say you have no bridle nor saddle — all hurnt ! well, you must have them, in order to go about to see your friends, and to meetings. I advise you to buy some, and trust for the means to pay. I hope and pray you may be guided into the right way by your heavenly Father, who is the widow's God." TO THE SAME. "Jan'y 9, 1832. " As to religious feeling among us, I can give you but a bad account. It seems that the winter has fro- zen every thing like pious or zealous feeling in all parties. I am somewhat chagrined at the scasonahlc appearance which the late revivals have taken, to spring up in the hot weather and decline with it, and die in winter. I want a revival which will live all winter." The following letter is addressed to the same indi- vidiril as Sister S., her name having been previously changed by a second marriage : 118 MEMOIRS or " December 26, 1332 "Dear Sister S. " Your letter of 9th inst. was duly received, and read with interest. After detailing your woes, you ask whether we have such feelings. 'Tis but too true a picture you give of our exercises. Read in the Cluster, page 33S Newton's, and also on the next page ; and our own on page 340. But these should not discourage us. We are taught in the Bible, that we must walk by faith, and not by sight. It is God's design, that we shall trust him for Jiis grace. Paul was taught this lesson by a severe discipline, and which God only remedied by a simple declaration, * My grace is sufficient for thee.' We must leam to walk through darkness and not fear. It is God-hon- oring to trust and not be afraid. But yet how weak are we to trust even the * oath and promise' of our heavenly Father, who is, and ever will be, faithfulness itself. We too often look for some good qualities in ourselves, instead of looking at his faithfulness and unchanofinof love. We sometimes are too much at ease in the possession of earthly blessings, and the Lord, as a correction, leaves us awhile to their enjoy- ment, to let us know their little worth, without better blessings, even his Spirit and grace to sanctify, and make them the means of our being more useful in the use of them." TO THE REV. LUCIUS BOLLES, BOSTON. *' Washington, Dec. 26, 1832. ***** ** I rejoice in the abundant success the Lord has given his servants, both to the east and west. There JKSSE MERCER- 119 "ivei'e in the Saluda Association, S. C, within the asso- ciational year (ending August) with only twenty churches, baptized about one thousand three hundred, and in six new churches added about two hundred j in all, one thousand five hundred. And you have seen in the Index, about one thousand seven hundred in the Edgefield. In our state there is not much ex- citement in religious affairs. I hope the hands of the Board of Foreign Missions are strengthened day by day. You have seen we too are trying to do some- thing. Our manual labor school is rising, and will go into operation on the second Monday in next month. The prospect is fair — applications overflowing. But in the project and furtherance of this scheme, I have no great share of praise ; for I have rather opposed and hung back, because I wished to see other and previous great objects further advanced and more finnly fixed on terra fimia. But I could not hold back the zeal which has eaten up our brethren, to be doing somethinof at home. It has had its effect. I am cott- strained to go with my brethren, and work with them, and have my hands full and a place for all my sui'plus funds. Of course, I cannot do abroad what might have been looked for. I cannot accept a project from Bumiali in favor of a Palestine mission. I must, and will try, while God pennits me life, to keep our Board of Foreign Missions, in their enlarged operations, on their feet. This, and the Columbian College, and our own school affairs, are too weighty for me. " Our political matters are truly alarming. Inter- est, local interest, is likely to ruin us. True, I think the burdens of the government are unequally distrib- uted by the tariff laws, but the south complains too much, perhaps. Will it be better for manufacturers 120 MfiMomS ot" to be thrown on their own capital and risk their indi- vidual success, rather than to dissolve the Union 'I But our true consolation is, the Lord reigneth. " God has bereaved you indeed in the death of our valuable brother, E. Lincoln. But He who gave, and trained him for usefulness, can fill the place He has vacated. " Give my most fervent love to all the dear breth- ren, and believe me to be, dear brother, ** Yours in Christ our Lord, "Jesse Merger." The following was written to Mrsv S. shortly after the death of her second husband : " Washington^ June 22, 1833, »* My Dear Sister S. ** Your letter intended for me at Crawfordville, the night I had an appointment there, but was hin- dered by high waters, was handed me at Phillips' by Brother Davant. I was on my way to our Conven- tion, when I was first informed of the distressing ter- mination of Mr. S.'s dangerous illness, of which you informed us about two weeks before. I had hoped better, but the will of our merciful and heavenly Fa- ther had determined otherwise. I hope and pray tJie God of all grace, in whom you trust, will grant you faith and patience to endure as hcliolding him who is invisible. * All things work together for good to them who love God.' In this you are fully persuaded, and on this, and such-like promises, you will cast your whole burden. We are, dear sister, by these dispen- sations of bereavement, taught the vanity of all our best earthly enjoyments, and led to liave our hearts JESSE MEllCKK. 121 Pet on a better, and a more enduring substance. The Lord's ways are not our ways ; but it is our happi- ness to make his ways ours, and to be resigned to them. It should be our daily prayer, that he would lead us into the way which he has chosen we should go; and that we might walk willingly therein, and find rest to our souls : yea, and we should find peace and comfort to our souls, if we did but walk ario-ht in his paths. Let your mind be stayed on Him : He who has provided hitherto will still provide." The following letter was addressed to a female fiiend through the columns of the Index. "Mr Dear Sister in the Lord, " Your interesting letter was duly received, and has laid by for some time, in order that I might be able to give you a more satisfactory answer ; and I have taken this method of reply, that if I mio-ht be so happy as to afford you any relief, in the subjects of your inquiry, I might also help others, in the same pei*plexities. I regret that you should have had any hesitance in presenting your distress of mind to me especially under ideas of disi^arity beticcen us. None should be too humble to express their complaints, and none too great to listen to them with an attentive ear, in order to afford any possible relief. By communi- cating our perplexities freely to our fnends, they may be readily obviated, and our minds relieved. Your present distress is, that your sentiment, in reference to the plan of salvation, is so unlike to those of some of your brethren, that you fear lest you may be in er- ror. You, therefore, desire to make them knowTi to me, that if, in my judgment, they are erroneous, or 122 MEMOIRS OF defective, I may correct them, and give you the in- struction you need. You make the following state- ment of your sentiments : * I believe that by the fall of Adam, his whole posterity became alienated from God ; that they are totally depraved ; that they are as destitute of spiritual life, as the body will be of tem- poral life, when consigned to the grave, until the Holy Spirit operates on the heart ; that when this work is commenced, it will eventually be completed ; that the salvation of every believer is the purchase of Christ's blood ; that He is their Redeemer, and their atoning sacrifice ; that in Hhn the justice of God is satisfied in their stead ; and that this salvation is immutable.' These particulars are doubtless essentially true, ac- cording to the scriptures. That all men are dead in sins from Adam, is clearly sustained from Rom. 5 : 12. * By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.'' That all are totally depraved, is proven by the testimony of God himself. Gen. & : 5. * And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.^ See also Ps. 14 : and Rom. 3 : 10-18. That men are entirely destitute of spiritual life, is evident from Eph. 2 : 1, 5. ' Dead in sins,' is the contrast of that life, by which believers are * quickened;' or it is that state, in which they are before faith, as expressed in verse 12, 'Without God;' and so without any spiritual life. This connexion proves very clearly, that the state of wrath continues until the quickening influ- ences of the spirit of life in Christ are felt on the heart. Regeneration is found in the renewing of the Holy Ghost; and Christ says it is the spirit that JESSE MERCEK. 123 quickenefffi. That when this work is commenced, it will eventually be completed, is as evident, as Paul's confidence is true. Phil. 1:6. * Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.' That the salvation of every believer is the purchase of Christ's blood ; or rather, that it is the frde gift of God, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, as their Redeemer and atoning sacrifice, in whom God is well pleased, is, I presume, denied by none ; and that their salvation is immutable, is certain, because it is eternal, Heb. 5 : 9, and results from an * unchange- able Priesthood.' 7 : 24. " The irrefragable certainty in the salvation of all God's people, which your mind holds, from this state of things, with a pleasing tenacity, seems to you, to be untenable with the sentiments of some, who sus- pend the salvation of sinners under the gospel, on their free volitions, or voluntary choice. In conver- sation with some of your brethren, you have been re- ferred to Rev. Mr. Brantley's third Seimon. On read- ing of which you say, * I must confess, I there find sentiments which, to me, appear as if the salvation of sinners depended on the use of means, placed within their power.' Taking parts of this discourse, sepa- rate and apart from the rest, such would seem to be their import; but taking it as a whole, I conceive from a careful reading, that the reverse is estab- lished. The main object of Brother B. is to do away from the minds of his readers, the notion that God save smen by coercion ; and to establish the sentiment that sinners are saved with their own free consent or .voluntary choice. The truth of this position must strike youi* mind at once, by considenng the absurdity 124 MEMOIRS or of the contrary opinion, can-ied out. Suppose a sin* ner coerced to be saved, as a culprit is coerced to court ; and can he be happy, or glorify God for his salvation ] Certainly not : so then he cannot be saved by coercion. Although Brother B. contends most strenuously against the opinion that God saves sinners by * coercive necessity,' yet he does not hold that the salvation of God's chosen people, is at all the less cer- tain. His w^ords are : * The power which grace ex- erts is the power of persuasion, of illumination, or of attraction. The energy which accompanies it, is far from the asperities of constraint ; the efficiency which it possesses, though approaching towards compulsion, yet stops short of it.' And why 1 Because salvation by mere force would defeat God's gracious purpose and promise to the Redeemer, * Thy people sliall he loilling in the day of thy power.' Our brother con- tinues, * It calls the soul effectually j moves it by ra- tional inducement, rouses it from the sleepy torpor of unbelief, and informs it by the teachings of the Holy Spirit ; but in all this there is nothing that impairs the freedom of choice, or of action.' But I will add, ex- cites and improves it in both. Again, Brother B. states, ' The mind is perfectly free in believing, for though the evidence may he so strong as to make un- belief impracticahle, yet belief itself is a spontaneous movement.' Brother B., in maintaining * that salva- tion is so propounded to all men, as to make its ac- ceptance or rejection a possible thing,' states that * what I am now insisting upon is in full view of the fact, that some are converted and some are not ; some regenerated and some not ; some are true penitents and others never feel one genuine emotion of the sort ; some love God and bear the impress of sanctity, while JESSE MEtlCER. 125 Others remain under the dominion of unbelief and hardness of heart ; and all this diversity is witnessed under the same administration of visible means.' And how does Brother B. account for all this ] Why, says he, ' The Holy Spirit does exert a greater influence upon some minds than upon others within the pale of the same visible administrations of means ; and that this greater influence must account for the conversion of some, while others remain unconverted, is what I fully believe. That salvation too is wholly of the grace of God, and that it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do, is a position to which my mind fully accords.' He also declares that * God's free and sovereign grace in the redemption of sinners, and in all the influences by which that redemption is ap- plied and rendered effectual, is most clear and unde- niable.' " These quotations sufficiently show that Brother B. holds the salvation of sinners to be the effect of the special and effectual operations of the Holy Spirit — by free grace alone ; yet he does not think that any are put under * a coercive necessity' to be saved. And you, yourself, admit that sinners, under the quickening and illuminating influences of God's Spi- rit, * need no other coercive necessity to impel them to use the means ; for the salvation of their souls has now become the all-conquering principle : Therefore, it cannot be said that they * yield to the necessity of being saved, just as they yield to the necessity of dy- ing.' Thus you agree with Brother B. when he says, that ' spiritual influences are canied on almost to compulsion, but stop short of it,' because a conquest is gained — the sinner yields, and is saved. '* It should always be kept in mind, that the dia- 126 MEMOIRS OF pensations of God embrace two departments ; the one including things as they He with himself, or between himself and Christ. To this department belong all the purposes and promises of mercy, which are all absolute and infrustrable ; and rest for their accom- plishment on the free and sovereign grace of a faith- ful and covenant God. The other embraces things as they lie between God and his rational creatures, and is founded on the rights and authority of God over them, and their duties and obligations to him as their Creator. Here God has an indisputed authority to command, and (if he graciously please) to invite, beseech and entreat; and doubtless it is their duty to obey and yield a cordial compliance with the divine and all gracious proposals ; and it must be their con- demnation if they refuse. But let it be remembered that this done saves no man ; for God saves men only through faith in Chris fs hlood. But if God has been pleased to place the evidences of his grace in a righ- teous obedience to his commands, is it safe to seek them elsewhere % I think not. It is true all men re- sist the claims and refuse the grace of the dispensation of calls and means, and will not comply. It is, there- fore, that God puts forth a mightier energy of divine influence into these tneans and invitations, by which they are rendered effectual, by * the persuasion, illu- mination or attractions of the Holy Spirit,' to salva- tion. So, then, it comes to pass that all who are saved, are saved by the free and unmerited giace of God ; while they that perish, sink under the weight of their own unbelieving refusals of the just claims of God over them. ** According to the covenant stipulation, * all things were finished from the foundation of the world ;' and JESSE MERCER. 127 all given to the Son, as the reward of his sufferings, were complete in him — were fully justified and par- doned in the sight of God, while as yet there was none of them. But according to the dispensation of his grace, there are times and seasons, which the Father has reserv'ed under his own power. In these we sin, repent, and are forgiven. And again, sin, repent, and are forgiven, &c. — Thus we must be careful, not to confound the things which belong to the times and seasons of God's dispensation to men, with the pur- poses and things which were ordered and sure in his everlasting covenant. '* You hear it said, * The atonement was made for all mankind ; but the application definite, or how could the offer of salvation be held forth in the gos- pel to all, if the atonement was not made for all.' This you think inconsistent with the value of the pre- cious blood of Christ, and the nature of the relation it holds in the covenant of redemption. They who hold this language, confound the atonement with the rights and authority of God over mankind, and which are given to Christ, as Mediator, and which he exer- cises, as his right by inheritance, and not from his death. Moreover, the word for must be used very loosely ; for if the atonement is made as a price, which benefits no one until applied, then it is properly made for no one. The word offer, too, so often and so sweetly used, is not used in scripture in that sense. Christ has commanded his gospel to be preached to every creature ; and all men are called on, nay, com- manded, to repent and believe the gospel ; and assu- rance is given that they that do so cordially, shall be saved. " The views you have given of the relation there l^S MEMOIRS OF was between the shedding of the blood of Christ, and those who are profited by it, are certainly correct. If there were no persons in the view of the Father and the Son, for whom Christ shed his blood, I see not how it could be applied to any. For an illustra- tion, suppose the executive of the state to make out a number of reprieves without any names in them, can any criminal be discharged by one of them ? Cer- tainly not. The reprieve must be made out in the name of the person to be benefited. So the precious blood of Christ must have been spilled, in the design of the Father and the Son, for those who will be finally saved. This the Bible fully sustains. "Dear Sister, if these reflections shall give you or any of the readers of the Index, any satisfaction of mind, or comfort in the love of Christ, or confirma- tion in the truth of the gospel, I shall rejoice with you and them, for the mercy of our Lord and Saviour Je- sus Christ, unto eternal life. ** I am your servant, for Jesus' sake, ** Jesse Mercer." to dr. wm. h. turpin. " Washington, Feb. 10, 1834. « # # # *' It would give me joy to be able to give you some good news, but it is a scarce commodity with us. Bro- ther Allen passed along like a summer breeze, and effected little ; he is a pleasant brother. Brother Welch has also passed on without doing any thing. Mr. Shepherd had made such a heavy draw on the people that W. thought it best to attempt nothing. Mr, S. had obtained a subscription of abouf $150. JESSE MERCER. 129 We had a Mr. Woodbriclge, Agent for the A. G. T. S. for foreign distribution, but I think he got but little. I was not present, and did not see him. I think we are somewhat like a cow owned by several families, and subject to be milked .at pleasure. These families might send out their milk-maids so frequent as to be unable to draw any milk from the poor creature. I think our benevolent societies had better have a meet- ino-, and so arransfe their visits as not to defeat their object. Indeed sir, I am, I th mJc, friendly to the be- nevolent objects of our day ; but agents are become like musketoes, one can hardly be beaten off but ano- ther is here. But enough of this. The revival above in Franklin and Elbert is still going on I learn, but I fear not likely to spread much. " Our school is quite full. Brother and sister San- ders are quite at home, chin deep in business. I fear when they quit, we shall be at a great loss to find another yoke of the same mind. Our beneficiaries are increasing also. A young man passed me last week from the Tugulo, S. C. side, from a region of much opposition, and equal am.ount of ignorance. " We have been graciously preserved this inclem- ent season in common health. The spring-like weath- er now promises to compensate us for all our \vinter'8 sufferings. I hope and trust you are all in good health. Tell brother M.* his 'meal and gi'its' are out. The last, though not so fine as he might have wished, has been used up without much (if any) com- plaint. I hope his * head of water' is now full, and his stones pecked and shai-p, and that he will soon send us a good supply." * A brolher who occasionnlly contributed to the columns of the Index. 7 130 5IEMOIRS OF TO MRS. ». *• Washinglm, Feb '23d, 1836. ** Dear Sister D. ** I have received several kind letters from you, and always am pleased with them, though I do not answer them, owing to my engagement in the busi- ness of the paper. I hope you will not be led to think that I am indiiferent towards you or your let- ters ; far from this. I read with interest yours of 21st inst. last night, and have concluded, as I am con- fined to the house by rain to-day, I would spend a little of it in writing a few lines to my sister Dolly. " I am glad to learn that you are likely to get on in your temporal affairs without any sacrifice, or par- ticular injuiy to yourself. You have great right to trust in the Lord who has proclaimed himself spe- cially to be the widow's refuge and defence. If you could come up to the picture given by Paul to Timo- thy in his first Epistle 5 : 5, it would be all you need to request, for then all the rest would be sure. " Truly, that piece you mention, ' hints to young converts,' is well calculated to biing times past into present view ; to make us go back to those days when the Lord brought our souls from darkness into lights and by his grace created us new creatures in Christ ; or made us * young converts.' O, how have things changed since then ! I am sometimes ready to say of myself, ' rf thou art he : hat ah, hoio altered P This is, however, our joy that though tve change, the Rock of our salvation remains the same. AVe may truly rejoice in the Lord, and make our boast of him all the day long. JESSE MERCER. 131 ^' You Speak of sennons which I have preached in tlays gone by, as precious seasons to you, still held in tenacious recollection. Well then, I rejoice I was able ever to preach so as to leave a sweet or savory memory behind for the consolation of any believer in Christ. O, it was not I, but the Lord that spokf3 through me, as a certain sound is given by a skilful blower of a trumpet. To him be all the praise. . I hope you find many things in the Index to comfort and edify you. Thougii there are, and of necessity will be, many articles of controversy till we learn to be of a more meek and quiet disposition like Christ our pattern ; yet it is the most ardent desire of my heart to afford the readers of that paper some solid food to strengthen their faith, and improve their spir- itual health : and I hope I do not altogether miss my aim. Every christian soldier cannot fail to be anx- ious to know how the. kingdom of Christ advances in the nations of the earth, and therefore, I should think, would read missionary news with rapture. " Nancy joins in best wishes for your happiness, and be assured, I am as ever, yours, &c." TO THE REV. MR. BOLLES. " Washington, May Hlh, 1836. *'Dear Brother Bolles, *' I wrote to you, directed to the care of Rev. G. F. Davis, Hartford, Connecticut, intended for the Board at its last meeting in that city ; but I suppose it did not come to hand, as I see no notice of it in the pro- ceedings. " I am gratified to find you had so full a meeting ; but regret to see so gieat a deficit in the receipts into 132 MEHitoms Of the mission fund's. The resolve to raise $100,000 witi fail by a considerable" amount. Alas ! " The bible question is an important one. I pre- Bume it will be advisable to foiin a Baptist American' Bible Society or some plan equivalent. Perhaps so- cieties formed for the purpose, to send up their funds to the treasurer of the Board, would- answer, without incurring the expense of a national society. I hope the brethren white together, came to some conclusion what would be ultimately best for the denomination to do. I am inclined to think it would be best (if it could be so) for the A. B. Society to be restrictecl to the distribution of the English bible, and then let every Foreign Mission Society provide for their owa translations. * * * " Our late state Convention was a very pleasant meeting. We feel much encouraged. The interest taken in that section in our operations, was far greater than we anticipated. I think the dagon of opposition is crumbling before the ark of benevolent effort. Our funds have been enlarged. The resolution of the A. B. S. has brouei^ht us in a considerable amount for the publication of the Burman bible. At our last yeat's- Convention, it was resolved that we would make an effort to raise $3000, to aid the raising of the $100,000 resolved on at Richmond. This resolve has been re- deemed, including the sums sent up for the Bible cause, almost doubled ! Our treasurer reports since last Convention, between 5 and 6000 dollars. "A project to build a college (in our t0A\Ti) ha& been in agitation for some time. This project was presented to the Convention for their patronage, &c, and it was received with peculiar pleasure, and the necessary measures taken for carrying it forward to JESSE MERCETl. 133 completion. Something like $60,000 are pledged, at least proposed to be raised for it, already- Two agents are appointed to raise the funds for its accom- plishment. I hope it will go on now, welL Sunday- Schools begin to be more patronized in our state, and measures were taken at our late meeting to further them. I think a Baptist Sunday School Union would be of great usefulness to our churches. I am not op- posed to unite on common ground with the Pedoes ; but I feel opposed to the inference whkh must be made by every child of common sense, from thfi re- striction not to publish any thing but wliat all agree in, which will be, that those things not pMished and taught are of no importance. " We greatly need a Sunday school library, from which a supply could be had everywhere, and at any time. " I hope the brethren are in health, and that the work of the Lord al^ounds and prospers in their hands. "With sentiments of brotherly love, I am, dear ^Drother, yours and theirs in the Lord. Jesse IVLerceb." TS9 the same. '* Waskivglon, Oct. l^h, 1833. "**Dear Brother Boi«les-, " The circular of Brother Ma;lcom did not I'each me timely for the session of our Association; but we had just published it in the paper, and we anticipated it in our proceedings. I had hoped the churches would, notwithstanding the pecuniary embarrassments of the ving infer- ences, *' as clear and certain trutlis.^^ *' I. That all churches and ministers, who originated since the apostles, and not successively to them, are not in gospel order ; and therefore cannot be acknow- ledged .as such. " II. That all, who have been ordained to the work of the ministry without the knowledge and call of the JESSE MERCER. 147 cliurcli, by popes, councils, &c., are the creatures of those who constituted them, and not the servants of Christ, or his church, and therefore have no right to administer for them. " III. That those who have set aside the discipline of the gospel, and have given law to, and exercised dominion over, the church, are usurpers over the place and office of Christ, are against him ; and therefore may not be accepted in their offices. " IV. That they who administer contrary to their own, or the faith of the gospel, cannot administer for God ; since without the gospel faith, they have nothing to minister; and without their own, he accepts no service ; therefore the administrations of such are un- warrantable impositions in any way. " Our reasons therefore for rejecting baptism by immersion, when administered by Pedobaptist minis- ters are, " I. That they are connected with churches clearly out of the apostolic succession, and therefore clearly out of the apostolic commission. *' II. That they have derived their authority, by or- dination from the bishops of Rome, or from individu- als who have taken it on themselves to give it. " III. That they hold a higher rank in the churches than the apostles did, are not accountable to, and of consequence not triable by the church ; but are ame- nable only to, or among themselves. " IV. That they all, as we think, administer contra- ry to the pattern of the gospel, and some, where occa- sion requires, will act contrary to their own professed faith. Now as we know of none implicated in this case but are in some or all of the above defects, either of which we deem sufficient to disqualify for meet 148 MEMOIRS OF gospel administration, therefore we hold their admin- istrations invalid." Upon the subject of apostolic succession, alluded to in the above extracts, the author makes a few addi- tional remarks. ** But if it should be said, that the apostolic succes- sion cannot be ascertained, and then it is proper to act without it ; we say that the loss of the succession can never prove it futile, nor justify any one out of it. The Pedobaptists, by their own histories, admit they are not of it ; hut we do not, and shall think ourselves entitled to the claim, until the reverse be clearly shown. And should any think authority derived from the Mother of Harlots, sufficient to qualify to ad- minister a gospel ordinance, they will be so charitable as not to condemn us for preferring that derived from Christ. And should any still more absurdly plead that ordination received from an individual is suffi- cient ; we leave them to show what is the use of ordi- nation, and why it exists. If any think an administra- tion will Suffice which has no pattern in the gospel, they will suffer us to act according to the divine order with impunity. And if it should be said that faith in the subject is all that is necessary, we beg leave to require it where the Scriptures do, that is, every- where^'* In the Circular of 1816, the writer takes occasion to urge upon the chirrches some of those important duties which arise from their social compact as fellow- citizens with the saints, and members of the same re- deemed family. Some extracts from this letter will be found in a subsequent part of the volume. JESSE Mercer. 149 The Circular Letter of 1821, is the longest and the fnost elaborate of the series. It contains many ster- ling thoughts, but space carmot be afforded for a full analysis, nor for many lengthy extracts. The subject is the Unity and Dependenx'e of the Churches of Je^ sus Christ ; which the author thus defines. " By the unity of the churches, we mean that they are all under one head, all members of one body : and by depend- ence, that necessary connexion which forms them into the same body, to which they owe their greatest com- petency for practical and virtuous excellence ; and their highest felicity in perfection and beauty." From the practical remarks with which the letter closes, the following are selected ; " We pray you to walk charitably towards those, who, in Christian profession, differ from you in faith or practice. And though you cannot reasonably hold communion with them at the Lord's Table, * * * * yet, dear brethren, we exhort and admonish you to cany yourselves towards them as Christian professors ; engage with them, and invite them to engage with you, in exercises of devotion and enterprises of use- fulness ; go with them freely as far as you can pre- serve a good conscience and the fellowship of your brethren, and stop where you must according to the scriptures ; evince to them that the reason why you do not yield an entire and cheerful compliance with their wishes in communion, is not founded in preju- dice or ill-will, but in a conscientious regard to the views you entertain of truth and propriety ; extend to them your brotherly watch-care, and invite theirs over you ; reprove and admonish them in love when you overtake them in a fault, and endeavor to reclaim in i56 Memoirs or the spirit of meekness ; and thus, by an affectionate intercourse, and a dispassionate, free, and candid in- terchange of sentiments, combined with a friendly use of Christian discipline, lessen, if you cannot annihi- late, the unhappy differences which are between you and them. This course, accompanied by the blessing of God, we think is the only anchor of hope for the union and communion of the present contending reli- gious denominations. '* Furthermore, brethren, we exhort you carefully to cultivate in yourselves views of extended and gen- eral usefulness. Dismiss, for ever banish from your hearts, that God-dishonoring and soul-starving senti- ment, that your Christian obligations are restricted to the church to which you in particular belong. Re- collect that * what the Spirit saith to the churches,' is bound on the observance of ' him that* hath an ear.* Feel as you ought to feel, as * members in particular' of the whole body of Christ, and bound by his autho- rity in the same ties of brotherly love to all and to each member of that body * as you 'have ojjportunity to do good,' and * always abound in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor shall not be in vain in the Lord.' And we also admonish you to esteem very highly, as your most gospel attitude, the medi- um of your highest privileges, and the source of your most extended usefulness on earth, your associated union. Here you are ' like a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots,' and * terrible as an army with banners,' prej^ared for united and povv'erful effort. What cannot be done in your individual capacity, may receive its highest accomplishment in your asso- ciated union. Divided strength is weak, but united strength is pov/erful. Do not treat the resolutions JE8SK MEHO£R. ISi ahd advices of the association with neglect and indif- ference, as the counsels of a mere * advisory body,' with which you have no connexion, but as decisions and advices of your own body, composed of your * messengers, who are the glory of Christ.' If the counsels of the association are consonant with the word of God, you are bound to observe and obey them on Divine authority, as well as from the bond of union which holds you together ' in one.' Study agreement, and endeavor through your associated connexion, to come at a uniform practice in the order of your religious affairs. Be ready, not as a matter of constraint, 'but of ready mind,' to act in concert, like the churches of Macedonia, of whom the apostle bears this honorable testimony, that ' they are willing of themselves' even * beyond their power,' in any mat- ter of general utility, whether benevolent, charitable, or religious. Attempt whatsoever God in his word has instituted to be done through the instrumentality of his church on earth, and fear not. Keep in mind you are not alone : even in your associated body you are but one detachment of the thousands of Israel's hosts. The strength of opposition against you is * an arm of flesh ;' but with you is the Lord your God to help you and to fight your battles. And what may be done by united and vigorous effort of all the churches of Christ in his name, will never be known until the experiment is made ; but when that experiment is made, the result will be, that the whole earth will be full of the glory of God. Let each heart hail the day in adding a double Amen. " Finally, dear brethren, * whatsoever things are true, are honest, are just, are pure, are lovely, are of 152 MEMOIRS OF good report, — if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.' " And may ' the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory, by Jesus Christ, after that ye suffer awhile, make you perfect, establish, strength- en, settle you to d® his will ; to whom be glory and dominion now and for ever — 'Amen.' " In the body of the above paragraphs, the author had included, in a long parenthesis, a condensed argument against mixed communion ; which it has been thought best to detach from its original connexion, and pre- sent by itself. He urges his objections to mixed com- rriunion in the following manner : " 1. Because the union is broken and the depend- ence lost between you and them, so that communion would be a shadow, without any proper substance — too pretensional for sacred and sincere cluistianity. 2. Because there is no discipline instituted amongst the denominations, the influence of which can preserve such an attempt at communion from the grossest im- positions and wildest disorders ; and of consequence must be absurd, until some regulation be established among the parties, and they all agree * to walk by the same rule,' and ' speak the same thing.' 3. Because you and they are not, and in the present state of reli- gious affairs, cannot become, members together of the sartie body, which is a capital requisition in the gospel to a meet communion. And, 4. Because the princi- ples and practices, which first produced, and still pro- long, the difference of denominational character among professed Christians, are so heterodox and discordant, JESSE MERCER. 153 that the maintaining of the one is of necessary conse- quence the destruction of the other. To attempt com- munion in such a state of things, would be to form a religious chaos, and to promote envy and strife as the legitimate tendency. This may be exemplified im- mediately by reference to the ordinance of baptism : if the Pedobaptists establish their baptism as true, yours is absurd ; but if yours be maintained as the gospel ordinance, then theirs is no baptism at all. It must then be improper and disloyal to attempt com- munion until these discordant principles are done away, and the parties conciliated in Christian love and union." It is now something more than forty years, since an effort was made to combine the strength of the denom- ination in Georgia for vrise and benevolent purposes. At the session of the Georgia Association in 1800, the following interesting resolution was adopted, viz. : " That as a spirit of itineracy has inflamed the minds of several ministers, who are desirous to enter into some resolutions suitable to carry into effect a design of travelling and preaching the gospel, a meeting be, and is hereby appoiniei at Powel's Creek, (Powelton) on Friday before the first Sunday in May next, for that purpose ; that the same day be observed as a day of fasting and prayer to Almighty God for prosperity on the design, and for a dispensation of every new covenant mercy in Christ Jesus." This proposition, which we shall soon see, resulted in some important measures, originated with Mr. Mer- cer. In accordance with the appointment of the As- sociation, the meeting was held at Powelton, and after consultation and prayer for divine direction, a 8 154 MEMOIRS OF letter was drawn up and addressed to the Association at its next session, which ** called the attention of the Association to the propriety and expediency of form- ing a Missionary Society in the state, for the purpose of sending the gospel amongst the Indians bordering on our frontiers, which was nnanimously and cordially afpr abated r Thus it appears that our early fathers were men of a missionary spirit. Another ministerial conference was held at Powel- ton in May, 1802, to deliberate upon the subject of an Indian Mission, at which meeting it was proposed that a General Committee of the Georgia Baptists should be formed, consisting of three members from each Association in the state ; the leading object of which should be to meet and confer with other Christian so- cieties, in order to remove differences, and if possible, bring about a more general and close union of real Christians on the principles of eternal truth." The Georgia Association, at its next session, approved of the recommendation, and appointed Elders Marshall, Walker, and Mercer, to meet that Committee at Pow- elton on Saturday before the first Sabbath in May, 1803. At that time and place, the *' General Com- mittee of Georgia Baptists" was formed by some eigh- teen ministers. The leading objects at first were itin- erant preaching, and the establishment of a school in the Creek nation ; though at their next annual meet- ino-, they enlarged their designs, and resolved upon measures for the establishment of a Baptist College in Georgia. The legislature of the state refusing to grant a col- lege charter to the Baptists, the General Committee was much discouraged and crippled in the prosecution of its benevolent designs : still it continued to hold its JESSE MERCER. 155 annual meetings for several years, for the purpose of devising and executing liberal plans for Zion's en- largement. Speaking of the subject of this biogra- phy, says Mr. Sherwood, " he was a master spirit in the doings of the General Committee from 1802 to its dissolution about 1810; was frequently the Secretary, always in attendance, and in 1805, wrote the circular. In this he overthrows the objections against the efforts to establish a college, and against a ministry of more improved minds. He was then laboring shoulder to shoulder with Sanders Walker, Abraham Marshall, James Mathews, Ross, Bledsoe, Talbot, Holcomhe, Clay, George Franklin, Benjamin Mosely, nnd other choice spirits, the fathers of the denomination in the state, men friendly to missions and education ; but of late years the charge has been publicly made, th;it missions and education were new schemes, and that Jesse Mercer, in patronizing them, had abandoned the scriptural path, and the doctrines and practice of those who founded and nurtured our churches in early times." Our sketch of Mr. Mercer's useful sei^ices would be very imperfect without referring to his connexion with the " Baptist Convention of the State of Geor- gia^^ The genii of that body seems to have been a resolution drawn up by Mr. Sherwood, and presented by Charles J. Jenkins to the Sarepta Association at its session in 1820, and which, with a slight amend- ment, was adopted in the following words : " Resolv- ed, that we suggest for our own consideration, and respectfully that of sister associations in this state, the propriety of organizing a General Meeting of Corres- pondence." The Ocmulgee Association approved of the design, and appointed messengers to meet such 156 MEMOIRS OF brethren as might be delegated from other bodies. The Georgia Association also, at its meeting in Octo- ber, 1821, was highly favorable to such an organiza- tion, and appointed messengers. The brethren ap- pointed by the two last named bodies, (the Sarepta having discovered at last that there was no need of such a meeting, and declining to send messengers,) met at Powelton in June, 1822, and organized them- selves in a formal manner as " The General Baptist Association of Georgia," and adopted a constitution. In 1826, the constitution was so modified as to admit delegates from Auxiliary Societies, as well as from Associations; and in 1828, the name of the body was altered to that of " The Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia." The eleventh aiticle of the Constitution explains the objects of the body ; and is in these words : '* The following are the specific objects of this body, viz. : — 1. To unite the influence and pious intelligence of Georgia Baptists, and thereby facilitate their union and co-operation. 2. To form and encourage plans for the revival of experimental and practical religion in the state and elsewhere. 3. To aid in giving ef- fect to useful plans of the several Associations. 4. To afford an opportunity to those who may conscien- tiously think it their duty, to form a fund for the edu- cation of pious young men, who may be called by the Spirit, and their churches, to the Christian ministry. 5. To correspond with bodies of other religious de- nominations, on topics of general interest to the Re- deemer's kingdom, and to promote pious and useful education jn the Baptist denomination." The Convention, as has been seen, commenced a very feeble body, embracing only two of the Associa- JESSE MERCEK. 157 tions in the state, (one of which afterwards withdrew ;) and its designs were looked upon with much indiffer- ence by a lafge portion of the churches. At length it encountered the most determined opposition, and even from some who at first approved of its plans, were active in its formation, and for a time in its sub- sequent support. But it has gi'adually, by the foster- ing care of heaven, advanced in efficiency and num- bers, until now it embraces amongst its constituent members, about twelve Associations, besides several respectable Auxiliary Societies. Eternity alone will reveal the good which has already resulted, and is yet to result from the labors of this active and useful body ; yet it might not be improper, in this connex- ion, to glance hastily at some of the more obvious fruits of its exertions. A permanent fund of about 825,000 has been gathered up for education pui-poses ; about the same amount has been collected and dis- bursed for the support of Foreign Missions ; a con- siderable number of Domestic Missionaries have been employed in destitute sections of the country, by whom an amount of labor has been perforaied which would require the constant service of a single indi- vidual probably twenty years, and by whose instru- mentality many churches have been established in the upper, western, and south-western portions of the state. Many hundred volumes of valuable theologi- cal works have been put in the hands of our minister- ing brethren by the funds of the Convention ; between twenty and thirty beneficiaries have been sustained for longer or shorter penods at different institutions of learning ; and under the auspices of the body, a sem- inary for literary and theological instruction has been reai'ed up with a respectable endowment, which has already conferred great benefits upon the denomina- 158 MEMOIRS OF tioii and the country at large, and with the blessing of the Almighty, will be a powerful auxiliary to the cause of religion and learning for generations to come. A much greater amount might have been accomplish- ed, if the entire denomination in the state had put forth their best endeavors ; but enough has been done to afford delightful evidence that God has approved of the labors of his servants, and to remind us that we cannot place too high an estimate upon the toils and sacrifices of our venerable fathers, who have been pioneers in this good work. Mr. INIercer was not, perhaps, as fruitful as some others in devising new and important plans ; nor did he possess as much executive energy as some in car- rying forward a plan, in its perplexing details, into practical operation ; but how few could judge with more accuracy of the merits of any scheme when pro- posed ; or were more ready to sustain it in every rea- sonable way, when it commended itself to him as wise and useful ; or by prudent and well-timed suggestions could more readily prune off excrescences, supply de- fects, and thus mould it into a proper and practicable shape ; and at the same time defend it against the short-sighted judgment and eccentric zeal of its erring friends. It was in this way, that he impressed his image upon all the leading measures of the conven- tion ; thoroughly identifying himself in their devel- opment and successful progress, and standing forth to view, in his wisdom, prudence, constancy, and untir- ing benevolence as, in a very important sense, the bright and strong centre of this useful and respectable body. He was regularly chosen the Moderator of the Convention till the session of 1841, when his feeble health and domestic afflictions rendered his attendance impossible. He watched over the interests of the JESSE MERCER. lo9 body with untiring vigilance ; took every suitable op- portunity to explain its objects, and defend it against the assaults of its enemies ; never allowing himself to become damped in zeal, or alienated in feeling, in consequence of any difference of opinion which might exist between him and his brethren; and never shrink- ing from any reasonable service, which might at any time be imposed upon him. He was a member, ex- officio, of the Convention's Executive Committee: the meetings of this body were frequent, and the busi- ness often laborious ; but on all needful occasions he was ever found at his post. Mr. Mercer prepared and read before the Conven- tion (in 1S25,) " An Exposition of the first seventeen verses of the 12th chapter of Revelation," which, in connexion with other essays presented at the same time, was published in pamphlet form, and circulated pretty extensively amongst the churches. The pages of the Convention Minutes were often enriched by the valuable and important productions of his pen. In the minutes of 1829, appears his " Dissertation on the Prerequisites to Ordination ;'' of 1830, an ''Essay o?i the Scriptural Meaiiing and Manrier of Ordination;'' of 1831, a circular on the ** Importance of an elevated standard of Christian Morality r of 1833, a dissertation on '' the Resem- blances and Differences between Church Authority, and that of an Association^ The circular of 1831 will be found entire in a subsequent chapter of this work ; some extracts will also be made from the es- bays. It may be proper here to state, that to the dis- sertation of 1833, as it was republished in the Index, there was appended a short *' Essay on the Independ- ence of the Churches.'' 160 MEMOIRS OF CHAPTER VIIL Mr. Mercer's efforts in behalf of education. — Mount Enon. — Co- lumbian College. — Attempts at co-operation with South Carolina. — Mr. Mercer's views on the subject — His aid to Mercer Uni- versity. — Brief history of the irnvic- tion that it is the duty of rational and accountable be- ino-s, to have their principal energies directed towards the accomplishment of great and important objects, that they may the better obey the injunction ' whatso- ever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.' This principle they by no means overlooked in the subject of our present reflections. As a Classical Ed- ucation of candidates for the ministry had long been, and still was, reprobated by many, it was the more necessary that they should make a careful and tho- 172 MEMOIRS OF rough examination of the subject, before they engaged in its promotion. But the more carefully and tho- roucrhly they examined it, they were but the more fully persuaded, that it was an object worthy of the prayers and labors of all the friends of God or man. Their efforts therefore, made in the prosecution of this object, have not only been with an approving con- science, but Vv'ith unrelaxed energy and ardent prayer, and have not been in vain in the Lord. " Although since the origin of this Institution, there have been but few among us entering the ministry, yet it has, no doubt, been the means of abundantly enlarging the sphere of usefulness of a portion of that few, not only from our own state, but also from neigh- boring states. It has aided about twenty young breth- ren in their preparation for their labors, and fifteen of them gratuitously. Several of these are now en- gaged acceptably and successfully in the field of labor. Their efforts have already been abundantly blessed, in promoting revivals of religion in the different sections of country to which they have been called, as well as in advancing the benign objects of christian benevolence. " 2d. Your Institution has also been built upon the faith of that divine principle of truth, * that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.' Its founders have not stopped at making sure of a good object and then laboring diligently for its ac- complishment. In all their efforts, they have ac- knowledged God, and sought his blessing in earnest prayer. How often and how fervently have they, in the language of the pious Psalmist, prayed, ' Estab- lish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands, establish thou it.' And the Lord hath graciously heard their prayers, and wonderfully JESSE MERCER. 173 granted their desires, and exalted their Institution to an elevation of character and usefulness, transcending in so short a time, the most sanguine anticipations of its warmest friends. In retrospecting its history, we are called upon to recognise the hand of God, not only in building up the interests of the Institution, and giving it favor in the eye of the people, but more particularly in the frequent revivals of religion, with which he has been pleased to visit it ; and these, mostly through the instrumentality of the young breth- ren here preparing for future labors in the ministry. Here the Lord has said to them, cast in your nets for a draught, and in so doing, they have enclosed, to their astonishment, a multitude of fishes. This they had little expected, and have been willing to receive it as a divine acknowledgment of the acceptance of their labors. It has become to them a verification of the promise, ' and, lo ! I am with you always,' and an an- tepast of the blessedness of an instrumentality in the salvation of immortal souls. By the founders and contributors to the institution, this may be regarded ^s a demonstration of the importance of the work in which they are engaged, as an expression of the di- vine approbation of the labor of their hands, and a striking evidence of the answer of prayer. To all future officers, members and patrons of the Institu- tion, it affords a lively encouragement to labor with diligence, and to pray without ceasing. "It is a heart-cheering subject of contemplation, that but one year out of seven has passed away with- out more or less religious revival among the students ; and that nearly one hundred of them, have here hopefully been translated from the kingdom of dark- ness to that of light ; some of whom are already ac- 174 MEMOIRS OF lively engaged in the labors of the ministiy. Who can tell the influence these may have on the destinies of the world, through the instrumentality of their la- bors and their prayers ? *' 3d. Another princijjle, early laid down and firmly adhered to by the founders of your Institution, was * to keep out of debt.' The Convention of 1832 passed a resolution, ' that no debt shall be contracted by the Committee or Trustees on the credit of the In- stitution, without funds in hand to pay ; otherwise, in every such case, it shall be on their own individual responsibility.' The wisdom of this policy cannot be too highly appreciated. " Mount Enon in our own state, and the Colum- bian College in Washington City, were beacons of warning for our denomination ; and well have they improved the melancholy lessons of instruction that had here been taught them. Instead of embarrass- ment, and perplexity, and loan, and abatement of funds by usury, you have now before you, the free and unfettered use of all the property and funds of your Institution. ***** *' 4th. Another important principle mth the found- ers of your Institution, was, * to go more for substance than for show, and more for sense than sounds In digesting systems, in erecting buildings, in arranging studies, in selecting teachers, in a word, in every operation of the Institution, this principle has had its influence. It was the high consideration in which this principle was held, that recommended so strongly to them the manual labor system of education. They could readily see that if thoroughly earned out, it was well calculated to make effective practical men : JESSE MERCER. 175 men, not only able to understand, but also able to perform whatever service might be necessary to pro- mote the interest of their country or their own pros- perity. It is on this principle, that the instructions of the teachers have been addressed to the understand- ing of the pupils, and not merely to the memory, and that public examinations have been required to be thorough and undeceptive ; and on this principle it is, that more attention has been paid to the solid branches of mental and moral improvement, than to any of the forms of fashionable etiquette. " The result has proved that honesty is the best policy ; that however the world may labor to deceive, it is not willing to be deceived ; and that its imitators in hollow show, are not the objects of its confidence and respect. While on this subject, I would remark that if I have understood the views of this board, they are in entire harmony with this principle ; that they consider it a matter of more importance to have good instructers, than fine buildings ; that the eleva- tion of character and usefulness of a college depends more upon the talent and learning and moral princi- ples of its faculty, than on the number and splendor of its edifices." Mr. Sanders was succeeded in the presidency of the Institution by Rev. Otis Smith, who conducted its affairs for the three successive years. The Rev. Mr. Sherwood, now President of Shurtleff College, Illi- nois, was for some time connected with the Institution as Theological Professor.* It has been highly grati- * Besides the individuals already named, the following have been connected with the Institution for longer or shorter periodp, as in- structers : E. Moyer, J. O- M'Danicl, John F. Hillyer, W. D. 176 MEMOIRS OF fying to the friends of the University, that the num- ber of theological students has of late increased, thus brightening the hope of realizing the accomplishment of the most prominent design for which the Seminary- was founded. On account, however, of the late un- paralleled pecuniary embarrassments of the country, the destruction of the principal building by fire, and other causes, the Institution has been much impeded in its operations ; yoL it would be wrong to relinquish the hopes which its past success has inspired ; and still more criminal for the denomination to withhold their vigorous support from a seminary so needful for their prosperity, and upon which so much prayer, and labor, and pecuniaiy bounty have been bestowed. In the preceding extracts from President Sanders' Address, and also in one of Mr. Mercer's letters to Mr, Bolles, in the 6th chapter, there is reference to a plan for a time entertained, of establishing a Baptist college at Washington, Wilkes county. This was suggested to the minds of one or two pious brethren, at that place, upon the final determination of the Presbyterians to establish their Institution at Med- way (near Milledgeville) rather than at Washington, these two places being strong competitors for the honor. Mr. Mercer favored the suggestion, and indeed, sustained it with a zeal and devotion uncommon, even for himself. It was, however, feared by many that the Mercer Institute and the Baptist College Cowdry, J. W. Attaway, Robert Tolefree, A. Williams, R. J. Mil- ler. The present faculty are as fullows : Rev. John L. Dagg, Prpfpssor of Theology and President pro tern. ; B. O. Pierce, Professor of Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, S. P. Sanford, Prof. Maihematic-ij Rev. P. H. Mell, Prof. Languages; T. D. Martin, Tutor. JESSE MERCER. 177 could not botli be properly sustained at separate loca- tions ; and at last it was resolved by a majority of the Trustees of the College, that the project should be abandoned, and the charter given up. Seldom, if ever, was Mr. Mercer known to manifest so much sensitiveness and mortification at any decision of his brethren. It was evident that a gourd had been smitten, in whose shade at least in anticipation, he had reclined with uncommon interest and delight. And it was a rare occurrence indeed, that the opinion and influence of Mr. Mercer should be overruled in any matter in which he had taken such a decided stand. Under such circumstances, some men would have become permanently alienated from the councils of their brethren, and settled down into a state of sul- len disquietude, if not of disgust. Not so Mr. Mer- cer. He acted the part of a truly magnanimous christian. '■^ I cannot work alone,''^ was his emphatic declaration, " I tnust go icith tny hrethren ;" and be- fore the close of the year he subscribed Jive thousand dollars for the endowment of the Collegiate Depart- ment at Penfield. From that time he turned towards the Institution in its remodelled character, the full tide of his good feelings and princely munificence; thus, presenting an example worthy the consideration of all, especially of such as are ready to falter and draw back, if in all things tliey cannot have their oxen way. It would be tedious to enlarge upon all the useful services rendered by Mr. Mercer to this important Institution, aside from his numerous and liberal con- tributions. His frequent visits to the field of its ope- rations, and often when he was oppressed with bodily infirmity ; his cheerful conformity to the genius of 9 178 MEMOIRS OF the establishment at its first origin, when, for example sake, and to relieve others pressed with many cares, he would stoop do^vn and malxe up his own bed ; his unwearied attention as a member of the Executive Committee, and of the Board of Tnistees, to all ne- cessary business ; his calm and patient endurance in times of trial ; his wise, seasonable, and apparently indispensable counsel in matters of special doubt and difficulty; his many and fervent prayers, in which he would so feelingly and appropriately seek the direc- tion of the Father of Lights, and commend the Insti- tution to his Almighty protection — all these things, and many more which might be specified, are deeply engraven upon the minds of his surviving coadjutors ; and as they rise up to recollection, cannot fail to re- mind them how highly they were favored whilst they enjoyed his presence and aid ; and how much they have lost by his lamented death. The beneficiaries, and other students in the seminary, will long remem- ber how often his venerated form was seen in their midst; with what tender care he watched over their welfare ; and how often and how affectionately he urged upon them his rich, paternal counsels. In speaking of Mr. Mercer's exertions in behalf of the cause of education, a reference might be proper to a valuable discourse on this subject, which he de- livered before the Convention in 1834. It was pub- lished by request of the body, and is entitled " Know- ledge indispensahle to a Minister of God.** It is founded on a selection from the 4th and 6th verses of the 6th chapter of 2 Corinthians. ** Approving our- selves as tJie ministers of God — by ^noicledge.*' In this discourse, two important questions are discussed : JESSE MERCER. 179 *' 1. What knowledge is necessary to a minister of God r **2. IIoiv is it attainable V * * * * As to what knowledge is necessary to a minister of God, the author remarks, " To this inquiry we unhesi- tatingly answer — The Knowledge op the Truth. For we know of no truth, the knowledge of which would be unhnportant to a minister of God. We should like, dear friends, you would now throw your thoughts over the universe, and see if you can dis- cover any truth which would be unnecessary to be known by a gospel minister. If it should be said by any, that it ought to be restricted to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus ; then we answer again, that we know of no truth which is not in Christ Jesus. The scriptures declare, * It pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell.' He it is * that filleth all in allJ * He is head over all things to the church.' And * b^^im all things consist.' — Then we ask, what truth is not in Christ Jesus ] But the whole may be summed up in the knoivledge of God and his works. — Nay, God is only to be known through his works of nature, gi'ace, and providence." " We conceive a thorough knowledge of God in his natural and moral perfections, (on which the scrip- ture places the highest value,) is of the utmost im- portance to the minister, to fill him with a holy rever- ence, and to guard him against fanciful constructions of scripture, and the fonning of false systems of theol- ogy. The standard of tinith is in the God of truth. The most fruitful source of error is ignorance, or vague notions of God. But if God be tiiily known 180 MEMOIRS OF and kept in view, it regulates all the thoughts of the heart, and fixes the sentiments of the soul according- ly. Whatever, therefore, is in strict accordance vv^ith God's nature and perfections, must be truth ; and whatever is inconsistent therewith, lioivever plausible^ must be false." In considering the question, how is this knowledge attainable % the author makes some plain common- sense observations. A few sentences only can be co- pied. " This knowledge, then, v/e say is to be attain- ed only by a close application to the study of the works of God. # # # * ^ *' It is to he sought as silver. How do men act, when they lay themselves out to get money ] Why, they engage in some mechanism, profession, merchan- dise, or agricultural pursuit, in which they ply them- selves with untiring diligence to gain their object ; so all good men, but especially ministers of (^d, ought to apply themselves to the acquisition of kTO\vledge. But Solomon uses a bolder comparison. He says, it must be searched for as for hid treasures. Here reference is had to the anxious solicitude — the patient and indefatigable perseverance, with which men dig after the precious metals and other valuable sub- stances, hid in the bowels of the earth ; which can be better conceived than described. But as knowledge is more precious than silver, or gold, or nibies, it ought to be sought not only Avith equal, but superior application and untiring diligence ; and then we have the encouraging promise of attaining the precious boon. And here we would ask, why G-od hid his most precious natural treasures in the bowels of the JESSE MERCER. 181 earth, or rather why he did not spread them over its face, so that the inhabitants of the world might just go out and gather up what they needed, as the chil- dren of Israel did the manna round about their tents ] Why, for this simple reason, it did not suit his plan. He foiTTied man for labor, and constructed every thing accordingly : so that if man obtained them, he should dig deep for them : and the harder for the more precious. — And thus, says Solomon, in the ac- quirement of knowledge, ' This sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.' And it is evident, that the most deep and valuable treasures of wisdom and knowledge are gained by the most patient and persevering efforts of the mind." * * # * # *' Jude, in describing these same persons, [false teachers,] says, verse 10, ' Thesfe speak evil of those things which they know not ; but w4iat they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they cori-upt themselves.' ** Here observe, these false teachers are reproached for knowing nothing, but what they know naturally, as brute beasts. — In order, brethren, to perceive the full forcGLof the contempt and derision thrown on these pretended teachers by the apostles, it is necessaiy to conceive rightly, how natural brute beasts acquice knowledge — namely, by instinct, or the force of hab- it. — Now, then, it is plain that these apostles thought it ridiculous for any man to pretend to be a teacher who knows nothing, but what he knows naturally as brute beasts, by infusion or force of custom ; without an effort of the understanding, or the exercise of the reason. 'Tis true, a man residing in a learned com- munity, will drink in Llie knowledge of the society he 182 MEMOIRS OF keeps, and may seem to be learned ; at least he may use many learned words ; but not having exerted his understanding and reason in obtaining it, but having received it as a brute beast does, cannot use his know- ledge understandingly, but rather as parrots do, and therefore is ever subject to expose himself, and the cause he attempts to advocate, to contempt, and his hearers to deception. The Lord save us from an ig- norant ministry !" In the conclusion of the discourse, the author an- swers some objections. " But objection is made to schools for the educa- tion of young ministers, on the ground that the in- struction afforded is human learning. To see the weight of this objection, it is requisite to know what the objectors intend by human learning. If they mean instruction in human inventions, in which the knowledge of God and his works are not taught, then we join heart and hand with them to put it down : but if they intend to object to all learning, which is received by human instrumentality, then we most sin- cerely pity them as ignorantly opposing the institu- tion of God ; for we think no man can read the scrip- tures, and not see that God requires knowledge to be imparted from the parents to the children, and from the wise to the simple. But we presume the objec- tion proceeds altogether from a mistaken notion of the nature an 1 design of the instructions given in those schools. They have heard of geography, geology, chemistry, history, astronomy, philosophy, and theolo- gy; * * * but what is the study of these, but the study of the works of God, in creation, and pi evidence, and JESSE MERCER. 183 grace 1 For instance r Is the cartk the Lord's 1 Ge- ography describes it, in its extent, with its different soils, climates, and productions — its inhabitants, with their various religions, laws, and customs. " Geology gives a view of its state, and teaches the nature of its pebbles and mighty rocks, stupendous mountains and majestic sejis : where the wonders of God are seen. " Chemistry enables us to discover and separate the peculiar properties of all natural bodies, and learn their various uses. " History teaches us the events of time — the rise and downfall of nations and kingdoms, together v/ith a minute account of those facts which have transpired under the providence of God, in the successive gene- rations of earth ; so indispensable to a light under- standing of scripture. " Astronomy teaches us of the heavenly bodies — the sun, moon, and stars — their distances, magnitudes, and velocities — wherein is declared the glory of God, and shown his handiwork. " Philosoj^hy teaches the nature and reason of things. It is the system in which general causes and effects are explained ; and mind, both human and di- vine, with all its natural properties and moral powers, is examined and exhibited in its dignity, beauty, and moral excellence. " Theology teaches of divine things. It is the stu- dy of the Bible — a critical examination into its lan- guage — the modes and figures of speech employed in it — the manners and customs of the times in which it was WTitten — and the best rules of construction, in order to come at the truth, taught in that sacred volume. 184 MEMOIRS OF " Thus you see, brethren, the instruction given, under these and such like heads, in the schools, are not about the inventions and theories of men of cor- rupt minds, but of the truth of God as displayed in his w^orks of nature and grace ; and as such proper, that the mind of a minister of God should be deeply imbued with it. "Again, objection is made to the Convention, as opposing a call to the ministry, and designing to rear up a set of graceless preachers. In reply to the first cause of complaint, we say the Convention believes that no man ought to attempt, or be encouraged to preach the gospel, imtil he has a full satisfaction in his own conscience, that God requires it of him, and can afford his brethren the same satisfaction in regard to it. And as to the second, we say, that one of the first requirements for admission is, that the applicant must be licensed to preach by the church of which he is a member, and be approved by surrounding churches — so that if the Convention should unfortu- nately contribute to raise up a set of graceless minis- ters, the churches shall share in the first blame. **And now, dear brethren in the ministry, let us enjoin on you the acquisition of knowledge ; by the right use of which you may approve yourselves as the ministers of God. We urge this on you, that you may understand the Bible — the Bible is a learned book, and cannot be understood well without much pious knowledge and learning. He who now ad- dresses you regrets that he knows so little of the Bi- ble. Afler reading and studying it for near half a century in some sort, he has to make this humbling confession, that he knows to his shame, comparative- ly but little of the Bible. This he does not §ay for iESSE MERCER. 185 his own sake, but for yours, young brethren, that you may devote your youthful days to the acquisition of all possible useful knowledge. Give yourselves to reading and study, that you may be approved unto God, and that your profiting may appeal' to all ; to the honor of God and the advancement of the kino^- o dom of Christ. Amen." A few remarks of Mr. Mercer on the subject of ed- ucation, which appeared under the editorial head of the Christian Index in August, 1834, will close this chapter. ** Education is not, in the leasts designed, so far as we know, among Baptists, by any who are cngao-ed to promote it in the ministry, to usurp the place or take the power of any of those gifts, talents, or mental endowments which God by his holy Spirit imparts, I nd without which no man has any right to pretend to be a minister of God. But only to assist him, in those qualifications which it becomes him to possess, in order to discharge the duties incumbent on him by the gifts and appointment of God. Can ministers be considered, in regard to divine influence and power, what a cork is to the stream on which it floats — hav- ing no care, no interest, no duty or concern as to how their ministry is perfonned ] Or are they to be view- ed as ambassadors, whose duty it is to prepare for, and endeavor to perform the duties of their appoint- ment in the best manner possible ] The scrij^ture will decide the question in the affirmative in accord- ance with the voice of reason and common sense. " Education is in nowise designed as a mere en- dowment or accomplishment, whereby the man by 9* 186 MEMOIRS Of the use of high and learned words, may raise the ad^ miration of his hearers ; or by the excellency of epeech and enticing words of man's wisdom, gain the applause of the great of the world. These are mo- tives utterly unworthy the minister of Christ. But to enable him, in the use of right words, to set forth the truth to his fellow men, in the most plain and forcible manner. We consider education to the minister, what clothes are to a man. They have no powet in them to make the man, yet they are very necessary both to his comfort, and to render him acceptable to his fellow men. So education is very necessary to the happiness and acceptance of a minister in the course of his ministry. Suppose God was to call a poor young man to go and preach the gospel ; and he had no suitable clothes, nor means to get them, would it not be right for his brethren who were able, to sup- ply them 1 Doubtless it would.- So also, should God call a poor young man destitute of the learaing which would render him an acceptable preacher, would it not be proper to put him to reading and study, in or- der that his profiting might appear to all ? " Again : The minister is a workman for God, and words are his tools. A mechanic, to do good work, must have a variety, and a knowledge of the use of tools. So a minister, to do good work in preaching for God, must have a fund, and be acquainted with the right use of words. But how shall he attain to this right use of words, unless he studies it % Does God give the knowledge of language now ] It would seem that many think, the less a man is educated, the more plain, forcible and useful he is as a preacher ; but the fact is exactly the reverse. It ought to be ap- parent to every one, that the less a man knows, the JESSE MERCEIC 187 poorer must be his stock of words, and the less his capacity to use them advantageously. The man of understandintT and wisdom alone can use knowledsfe aright. He that knows the power of words, can use them to express his ideas plainly ; and this is the pro- per use of education. The leamed minister of God, under the influence of a right spirit, will use his know- ledge to present tmth, not floridly, hut clearly ; not in the eloquence of human wisdom, hut in the simpli- city of demonstration, commending himself to every man's conscience in the sight of God. " We close these remarks by saying, that the argu- ment drawn from the gifts and promises of God to in- sj)ired men, in favor of the advantages of ministers now, is, in our judgment, a very deceptive one ; because the analogy is not true. Prophets and apostles doubt- less had a peculiar degree of inspiration, by which their writings constitute the ixspired scriptures ; but will any man pretend that ministers are 7iotv in- spired so that their sermons may with equal propriety be styled inspired sermons ? If so, the scriptures are not the only rule of faith and practice, but these ser- mons have equal claim. We think the absurdity of such a sentiment will fully refute the argument, and lead us to depend alone on the holy scriptures for all our knowledge of the mind and will of God, in all matters of faith and duty." 188 MEMOIRS OF CHAPTER IX. Mr. Mercer's efforts in the Missionary cause. — Formation of the Powelton Mission Society. — Mission Board of the Georgia Asso- ciation. — Mission to the Creeks.— His favorite argument for Mis- sions. — Letters in defence of benevolent plans, from the Index. — Letter to Mr. Shuck. — To Mr. BoUes on the AboHtion Excite- ment. — Remarks from the Index on the same subject. — His kind feelings tov/ards the northern brethren. — Skeleton of a Missionary Sermon. — Letter on the " Imprisonment of the Missionaries to the Cherokees." The blessed cause of Missions was ever dear to the heart of Mr. Mercer. It might be said that he was, in truth, an active and efficient domestic missionary for nearly thirty years, a large portion of that time being actually spent in itinerant labor. An interest in foreign missionary operations was roused in his bosom at an early period, by the accounts which reached this country through Rippon's Register, in relation to the labors of the English Baptists in India. After the return of Mr. Rice from the East, he soon caught the fire which was scattered abroad by that wonderful man, and communicated it to his churches. Thence the sacred leaven soon found its way into the Georgia Association. In the minutes of that body for 1814, is found the following record : " According to a suggestion in the letter from the Whatley's Mill Church, Brother Mercer presented and read the Cir- cular and Constitution of the ' Savannah Baptist So- ciety FOR Foreign Missions,' and then moved for the approbation of the Association, which was given most willingly and unanimously. Whereupon it was thought proper to recommend the subject, for its evi- JKSWK MEIICEK. 189 dent importance, to the consideration of the churches ; and Friday before the first Sabbath in May next was named as a day on which all, who were individually disposed, as well of other Associations as our own, might meet at Powelton, in Hancock county, to form a Society, and digest a plan to aid in the glorious effort to evangelize the j^oor heathen in idolatrous landsT Pursuant to this notice, a number of brethren and fiiends assembled at Powelton on the 5th of INIay, 1815, and formed " The Powelton Baptist Society for Foreign Missions." Of this highly useful and respect- able Society, Mr. Mercer was President, and Gov. Rabun, Recording Secretary. The amount raised the first year for missionary purposes, was nearly five hundred dollars. The following is the conclusion of a brief account of the origin and first year's operations of the Society. " In the conclusion of this brief sketch, the Board of Directors cannot forbear ex- pressing their gratitude to the Father of Mercies, that success has attended their exertions, far beyond their most sanguine expectations ; and although the friends and patrons of the Institution have been obliged to encounter the frowns of some and the prejudices of others, we still believe the cause is God's, and must ultimately prevail. For we recollect, that when the Lord inspired his people with a disposition to rebuild his temple, he inspired the hearts of many others to assist in furnishing the means : And notwithstanding a Sanhallat and Tobiah were permitted again and again to hinder the work, yet the most ample success crowned the efforts of the feeble few. And can we believe that less certainty will be manifested in the erection i)f the great spiritual temple, the materials of 19Q BIKMOIRS O^ which are now scattered abroad in all parts of the world ] No ; we cannot, we will not indulge the un- generous thought, but will rather look forward and hail the approach of the glorious period, when the great trumpet shall be blown, and those who are ready to perish shall come from the east and the west, and from the north and the south, and shall sit down at our Emmanuel's feet, and learn and feel his grace." The same year, (1815) the Georgia Association unanimously agreed to co-operate with the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, and resolved itself into a body for Missionary purposes, and appointed a Com- mittee, of which Mr. Mercer was chairman, to digest rules for its regulation ; to address a circular to the churches upon the interesting and important subject^ and to hold correspondence with the Foreign Mis- sionary Board. At the session of 1S16, the above named Commit- tee reported a system of Rules for the regulation of the Mission aiy operations of the body, which with some amendment were adopted. By these regula- tions, the Association was required to choose annually seven Tinistees, to be denominated " The Mission Board of the Georgia Association," and to be a component member of the General Missionary Con- vention, and also the organ of domestic missions, ac- cording to the openings of Providence, the means in hand, and the instructions of the Association ; or as their own judgment might direct from time to time. The Mission Board, regularly appointed in accord- ance with the above regulation, prosecuted its busi- ness with much success for many years, assisted in the estabhshment of a Mission amongst the Creeks, received and disbursed considerable sums gf money, j£SS£ MBRC£IU 191 kept up a correspondence with the General Board, and presented to the Association from year to year spirited and animating reports of their proceedings, and of the general condition of the cause of missions. Mr. Mercer was uniformly appointed as a member of this Board, was generally its President, and invaria- bly one of its most liberal and efficient supporters. In 1820, and 1826, he represented this body in the General Convention. At length the Cieorgia Associa- tion concluded to dispense with the separate agency of their Board, and merged their operations in those of the State Convention. In 1820 a plan for Indian reform was organized imder the direction of managers apj^ointed by the Ocmulgee, Georgia, and Ebenezer Associations. These managers were denominated ** The Board of Trustees of the co-operating Baptist Associations, for instructino: and evano:elizincr the Creek Indians." Of this Board, which continued in operation some years, and at one time had several missionaries in its em- ploy, Mr. Mercer was an active member, and for a while, the coifespOiiding secretary. Mr. Mercer often preached on the subject of mis- sions, to his churches, at the anniversary meetings of the various associations which he attended, and at other convenient times on his numerous excursions through the country. Multitudes will long remember with what sweetness, pathos and power he would ex- patiate upon the last commission of the ascending Saviour, and point out the future glories of the Re- deemer's kingdom, as delineated on the pages of prophecy. Upon many portions of Isaiah he dwelt with peculiar delight. A very favorite argument with him, was one that he drew from Acts 13 : 47, 1^2 MEMOIR* Oi compared with Isa. 49 : 6. " Notice," says Mr. Mer^ cer, ** the language of Paul and Barnabas after having declared that, in consequence of the wilful rejection of the word of God by the Jews, they would turn to the gentiles, they add, ' Fo?- so hatli the Ltord com- manded Its ; saying, / have set thee to he a light of the gentiles, that thou shouldest he for salvation unto the ends of the earths Now observe, that what these inspired men present to our view in the form of a command, we find in Isaiah, from -svhich they quote it, in the character of a simple prediction : we have, therefore, inspired authority for this inference, that old-testament prophecy is new-testament command. Thus we are to regard all the predictions of the prophets in relation to the advancement of Christ's kingdom, and the salvation of the world, as invested with the power and authority of divine commands, re- quiring us to labor and pray for their accomplish- ment." To one who beheld imbodied in every line which exhibited the future triumphs of divine truths the majesty of unalterable law, who heard, as it were, the commission of the Saviour, '■'■ go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,^'' burst- ing from the lips of every prophet who had spoken of the glory of the Messiah's kingdom, the bible must have been indeed a missionary hook ; and the indi- vidual that would act in accordance with such con- victions, (and so did our venerable father,) could be nothing less than an untiring and zealous defender of the missionary cause. Strange to tell, there have been many opposers. Some of them, Mr. Mercer had reason to fear were influenced in their opposition by unworthy motives ; but as many honest and pious persons were led astray JESSE MERCER. 193 by the unscriptural arguments, eiToneous statements, and unhappy examples of their leaders, he did not deem it an unworthy or needless service to meet, both fns>m the pulpit and from the press, the various cavils and pretended arguments which, from time to time, had been raised against the missionary enterprise. Its opposers, with strange misconception, or as some would think, with strange effrontery, claimed for themselves the honor of being 2)^'i'nitive or old school Baptists ! How just and honorable their high claims appeared under the scriptural arguments and histori- cal facts poured upon them by Mr. Mercer, need not here be stated. He that may have seen a millstone fall upon the little moth, or the swollen toiTent bear- ing away upon its wave the trash of a summer stub- ble field, can well understand the merits of this con- troversy. From a series of letters, published in the Index early in 1836, for the purpose of meeting the inqui- ries of a christian brother, the two following are se- lected. They do not seem to be confined to the mis- sionary cause exclusively, but -embrace the various objects of benevolent effort. *'Dear Brother A. " In my last to you, I proposed to make ' the new schemes and their tendencies* the subject of a future reply ; and now I proceed to the performance of it. *' It is plain, from a review of H.'s inquiries, that by * new movements — new jylans — and new schemes^* he intends the various social operations of these days ; such as Bible, Missionary, Tract, Sunday School and Temperance Societies. These are considered as evil, not only in themselves, but because they are new. — 194 MEMOIRS OF Hence, they of the opposition, call themselves * Old School Baptists.^ But such an insinuation indicates the belief, not only that the Baptists had, in their ope- rations to further, instrumentally ^ the kingdom of Christ in the earth, attained to perfection ; but a la- mentable want of scriptural knowledge. I suppose, however, the first will not be seriously pretended; and by the latter, it will be shown that the path-way of the Lord's people through the wilderness of this world, is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day ; (Prov. 4 : 18) ; and that in the ages to come — the dispensation of the fulness of the times, God will make known hy the Church, his manifold wisdom ; or the exceeding riches of his grace by new and increased labors. (Eph. 2:7. 3 : 10.) There will then be something new constantly transpiring. For instance, when the mountain of the Lord's house, (or the church,) shall be estahlished in the top of the mountains, and all the nations shall flow unto it, (Isa. 2 : 2,) there vrill be something new ! And when ' the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ ; and his do7ninion shall be from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth ;' then will there be some- thing Tiew .' (Rev, 11 : 15. Zech. 9 : 10.) Moreover, when the earth shall be filled with the knowledge and glory of God, then there will be something glo- riously 7iew ! (Isa. 11:9. Ps. 72 : 19.) " Again ; when ' Israel (the church,) shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit, ^ — there will have been done something new. (Isa. 27:6.) And when the church shall have enlarged the place of her habitations, and broke forth on every side, so a£ that her sons shall make the desolate cities of the JESSE MERCER. 195 gentiles to be inhabited by the redeemed of the Lord ; there will have been done something glori- ously new ! And when the people of the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom and possess it, because it shall he given to them, in the greatness thereof, under the tcholc heaven ; then there will have been done something wondrously new ! (Dan. 7 : 18 — 27.) God declares emphatically, * Behold, I make all things new .'' And it must be very evident to any sober bible reader that 7iew things will be transpiring in every generation of men, until the final consumma- tion of all things. And it will be as readily seen, that as new dispensations succeed each other, and as changing vicissitudes arise, it will be indispensable to concert flans of action to suit the exigencies of the times and accomplish those things which may be re- quisite for the carrying forward of the cause of Christ in the earth. It is obvious too, that no community can move in concert in the performance of any work, hut hy counsel. Solomon says, ' Where no counsel is, the peojjle fall : and without counsel purposes are disappointed : but in the multitude of counsellors they are established — there is safety.' (Prov. 11 : 14. 15 : 22.) If Christ has constituted his people the light of the world, and commanded them to let their light 50 shine; or to make known the riches of his grace among all nations for obedience to the faith ; and at the same time to wage an intemiinable war with the powers of darkness ; it follows, as a matter of necessary consequence, that they must meet in Convention, and by wise counsel adopt such plans as shall be judged best adapted to effect the objects in view. Accordingly, the Apostles assembled at vari- ous times, passed resolutions for different purposes ; 196 MEMOIRS OF and finally they in conference assigned to each other their sphere of labor in effectuating their Master's great command ; " Go ye into the world and preach the gosjjel to every creatureP See Gal. 2 : 6 — 9. Those useful schemes or plans of operation, which were established in his day, Paul enjoins it on Titus to urge and affirm constantly, that they who have be- lieved in God might be careful to inaintain good works. — And again ; * Let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not un- frmtful! (Titus 3 : 8, 14.) Now, what are these good works, which are to be urged on the observance of the brethren with so much care, but those plans or institu- tions, which were established as best calculated to pro- mote the general interests of the kingdom of Christ, and the good of all men % And what is it to maintain these good works, but to give aid and support to them, so that the ends proposed may not fail % But without counsel lyurposes are disappointed, and the jj^^P^^ fall ! ! If this be true, should not our brethren, who oppose in toto, the schemes of benevolence now in operation, fear the consequences of their own te- merity '? But why do they oppose them 1 Is it be- cause they are calculated to do evil 1 Is it because it is an evil work to supply the unregenerated world with the bible — or to endeavor to send the gospel hy the living preacher (as near as can be come at, called of God to the work) to all the nations of the earth, that they may be saved, (1 Thes. 2 : 16) — or to write pieces on important subjects, and send them abroad ; or to direct them to certain individuals — or to combine to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord — or to unite to suppress ini- quity in any shape ; but especially in that odious and JESSB MERCER. 197 most destructive foiTti — Drunkenness 1 Surely not ! ! Perhaps tliey will say * yes ; we will have our churches and associations ; but we will have nothinjr to do with these societies.' That is, they will have nothiTig to do in publishing the word of God to the world — nothing to do in furnishing a preacher to those who sit in the region and shadow of death, that they may hear of a precious Saviour, believe and be saved ; (Rom. 10 : 11, 15.) nothing to do in giving them any means, not even a tract by which they tnay he saved ; (Rom. 11 : 14;) — nothing to do, in having their chil- dren taught in the scriptures by suitable teachers in Sunday schools — nothing to do in reforming the in- temperate, or in making an effort to save a poor de- luded and infatuated fellow man from a drunkard's grave, and a miserable family from ruin. I ask in the name of common sense, — What icill they do ? " But, pressed for time and perceiving that I shall stretch out my reply too long, I beg leave to pause here, and make * the tendencies' the subject of a sepa- rate number. "I am, dear Brother A., " Yours, truly, "Jesse Mercer." "Dear Brother A. " I proceed to consider some of the supposed tendencies of the * new schemes,' patronized in our days. " It is asked * whether they have not uniformly op- erated to produce dissatisfaction, and destroy fellow- ship ] I think it quite probable they have ever had this tendency in a greater or Jess degree. " The new movements of our Lord and his apostles 198 MEMOIRS OP had this tendency. The nature and influence of his miracles induced many to become Christ's disciples ; but when they heard his doctrine of salvation by grace alone, and his requisitions of self-denial and practical godliness as indispensable to discipleship ; they were offended, and went away and walked no more with him. Christ told his disciples not to think that he was come into the world * to send peace ; hut rather division — a sword. (Matt. 10 : 34. Luke 12 : 51.) " But why was all this 1 Because, not only that the unregenerate heart of proud man, could not sub- mit to his doctrine of tJie neiv hirth ; but also many of the religious Jews, however pious, were not pre- pared to admit his * new measures ; and therefore op- posed them, they being of the old Mosaic school. And we find that the same spirit of opposition to the new schemes and inovements of the apostles, to carry out the commands of their Lord, to establish his king- dom ill all the world, was ever and anon stining up strife and exciting contentions and divisions amongst the churches. Although the prophets had before de- clared that the name of the Lord should be made known in all the earth, by the rising of Zion, to whose liffht the Gentiles should come, and kins^s to the brightness of her rising ; (See Isa. chapters 42 and 60) and Christ had in accordance therewith, com- manded his disciples to preach his gospel to the ends of the earth ; yet, such was their overweening pre- possessions in favor of Judaism, that they strenuously opposed every attempt to preach the gospel to the heathen that they might be saved. For instance ; even Peter was so prejudiced against going to the Gentiles, though his Lord and Master had commanded him (with the rest) to go into all the world and preach JESSE MERCER. 199 the gospel to every creature, that a vision from heaven must descend to convince him of his duty ; and when by this extraordinary occurrence, he was constrained to go, on his return to Jerusalem, his brethren called him to a severe account for it. " Now it is quite evident that the apostles called a convention, and held a conference on this subject, (Gal. 2 : 6, 9 ;) and when they perceived that it was the will of God, and that he had called Paul and Bar- nabas to that work, (a fact not to be overlooked,) they gave them the right hand of fellowship that they should go unto the heathen ; not only as a token of approbation but of confirmation. Nevertheless, there ^^as opposition still. For while Paul was at Ephe- sus, he says (1 Cor. 16 : 9,) * « great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries^ And in Thessalonica.the Jews rose u^fordidding the aj)0stles to preach to the Gentiles, that they might be saved. (1 Thes. 2 : 16.) And still more pertinent — There were certain brethren, who went among the Gentiles for Christ's sake, taking nothing of them for their support ; whom Gains had received and relieved. For this act of benevolence, Gaius is commended very highly by the Apostle John (3 John ;) and then he adds, ' We therefore, ought to receive such, that we might he fellow-helpers to the truth.* Receive such. How ? but as Gaius had done ; affording them that support, they had refused to take of the Gentiles ; or else how should we, in receiving them, be fellow-help- ers to the truth, in their ministry ? The apostle \vi'ote to the church on this account, no doubt stirring them up to this duty. But there was one Diotrephes, who loved to have the pre-eminence among them, received not the apostle, in this apostolic letter, nor these mis- SOO MEMOIRS OF sionary brethren, and forbade them that would have received them, and cast them out of the church. How picturesque ! How often has this high handed oppo- sition been acted out in more modem times ] How many letters and other writings on missionaiy sub- jects, have been refused a reading, and thrown under the table % How many of the brethren, of the effort cast, have been refused the use of meeting houses, and cast out ; or excommunicated as far as practica- ble, by declarations of non-fellowship, &c. 1 All such, I take to be of the household of Diotrephes. How- ever, I cannot envy their pre-eminence arising from this relationship ; but rather give me an humble con- nexion with the excellent Demetrius. *' But do the preachers, who are opposed to these neiv plans, preach the same doctrine that Abraham Marshall and Silas Mercer did ] I presume they do, essentially preach the same doctrine, with this shade of difference ; they are more generally on the doctrine of the covenant and predestination, and less practical. But I believe the soundness of their faith has never been called in question. But do the advocates of these ' neio inovcments' believe and preach as did those able ministers of the New Testament ] I think they suhstantially do. With this difference ; they do not preach as controversially as some of those venerable ministers did, because there is not the same cause for it no7i}, as in their day, when the fundamental principles of the Baptist faith were assailed, by all the force of the Arminian host. But do you preach as you used to do 1 This question I have answered several times in the Index ; and if it was not believed then, why is it asked again ] But for the sake of those who may not have given themselves the trouble to read heretofore ; or JKSSE MERCEK. 201 who may not have noticed it, I repeat, that I have undergone wo fandamental change in faith from my forefathers. I believe now^ and always preach in per- fect accordance with the faith adopted by the Georgia Association, and from her (so far as I am informed) the other Associations in the state. But is not the preaching of those who advocate the neio flans, too practical, too Arminian ? I do not think so. I speak as to the great body of those who are the advocates of the benevolent operations of our day. Of individ- uals I cannot say any thing. By far the great major- ity of those engaged in hcnei^olent efforts are strictly/ Calvinistic. I use this word in its common accepta- tion. Those professedly Arminian are far in the rear of the Calvinists in those operations. And I suspect the idea, that the patronising of the benevolent insti- tutions tends in the least to arminianism, has been gotten up from some isolated cases, of persons being suspected of arminianism, being very active in advo- cating these measures ; and not from any solid ground. " It seems to be taken for granted that all those venerable fathers, who founded the Baptist denomi- nation in this state, were as stern calvinistic preachers as are the opposers of the new plans. But this is alto- gether a mistake. Some of them were so — seemed to be set for the defence of the gospel. Of these, Si- las Mercer and Jeptha Vining were the chief. Abra- ham Marshall was never considered a predestinarian preacher. To use his own figure ; he used to say, * he was short legged and could not wade in such deep water.' He, with several others, was considered sound in the faith, though loiv Calvinists. Peter Smith and some others were thought rather Arminian ; some quite so. But no division was thought of till Jeremiah 10 202 MEMOIRS OF Walker adopted and preached openly the doctrine of final apostacy. Then a division ensued; but soon after the death of Mr. W., the breach was healed. And here it may not be amiss to add, that the Baptists in the upper parts of South Carolina, in those days, comprehended mostly, it is believed, in the Bethel Association, were general provisionists. I think the most of their ministers preached what is noiv called General Atonement. But this was never thought of as a bar to correspondence, or even Christian commu- nion. Well, then, if there is no fundamental differ- ence between the opposers and the advocates of the new flans, why not unite 7 I know of no substantial reason why they should not. I believe the friends of benevolent societies have never agitated or even wished a division with their brethren on account of their not seeing proper to patronise these societies. And I am not able to see any thing in these benevo- lent Institutions which can justify their opposers to declare non-fellowship with their advocates. Nor do I believe that any will pretend that these operations are wicked in themselves ; but when they condemn the promoters of them, it is by censuring their motives or designs, so as to make them wicked. But as in doing this, they break one of the laws of Christ, they must account for it at his bar. " Is there no way for the Baptists to come together and be united 1 I think there is. * Let them love as brethren ; and not judge one another any 7nore, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block, or an occasion to fall, in his brother^ s way^ But how would a convention of all the churches do % If such a conference, or a meeting of the principal ministers, could be had in the spirit of meehness, I should hope JESSE MERCER. 203 iL might have a good effect. At least it would be worth the trial. But this has been already proposed, again and again, and nothing has hcen done / " In conclusion, I say for myself, that it appears as if the Lord had in his righteous disjDleasure, shut us up in prison houses, so that we cannot come forth ; or has mixed a pei'\'ersc spirit in -us, because he will destroy 21s. It is high time we should humble our- selves under his mighty hand, and beseech him to take away from us a?i evil heart of unbelief, and put into us a right spirit. Let all who have hearts to do so, remember the first Thursday in April next, the day set apart by the Georgia Association, n^id con- cuiTed in by the Sarepta, as a day to alllict our souls on t?iis rery occasion, and implore of the Lord his re- storing mercy and cheering grace. " In hope of better times by the Grace of God, " I -am, dear Brother, yours, in " Christ Jesus our Lord, "Jesse Mercer." Mr. Mercer watched the progress of our Foreign Missionary operations with the liveliest interest, held frequent coirespondence with the leading members of the Board, of which he was the honored President from 1830, till the meeting of the Triennial Conven- tion in 1841, and into whose treasury he poured his bounty with an unsparing hand. A letter addressed to Br. Shuck, of the Chinese Mission, through the columns of the Index, may be properly introduced in this place. 204 MEMOIRS OF " Washington. Ga. April 6, 1338. "Dear Brother Shuck, " ' As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country :' so your very kind letter from Macao, (China,) refreshed and comforted my spirit. I hastened to lay it before the readers of the Christian Index, and suppose a few words in reply will not be less acceptable through the same medium to you, and may be gratifying to them. Truly the short * acquaintance and intercourse' had at Rich- mond, (Va.,) were pleasant and interesting, and left an impression on my mind, which has led me to read in the Religious Herald all the communications from you with particular interest. It was peculiarly en- gaging to my feelings to witness with what devoted- ness and disinterested zeal, you and others appeared before the Board of Missions to make known the im- pressions which had led you to the conclusion, that it was your duty, from the Lord^ to engage in the min- istry ; and especially those, which disposed you to a foreign field, where you might 'preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.' And this you did, tvithaut asking or receiving a promise of one jot or tittle of earthly emolument. All you asked, and all you received, was the approval of the Board, and a promise of aid and support ! "It is truly a consideration which ' affords no small gratification to know' that through the providence of God, oceans and continents have made us antipodes, yet we * can meet at a common Mercy Seat,' and there enjoy * intercourse and commune wdth each other in prayer,' and by writing those things, which the grace of God has wrought by and in us, for the furtherance JESSE MERCER. 205 of his cause on earth, and which lead * the soul in holy contemplation towards the brighter developments of celestial bliss,' where personal intercourse and enjoy- ment will be uninterrupted and eternal. *' I consider it an amazing wonder, my dear brother, * a consideration of overwhelming and painful interest, that while the hearts of so many thousands in Ameri- ca, (and other Christian countries,) beat high with a Christian's joy, and swell with a Christian's hope,' so little is felt for the millions (of China and other na- tions) who are sitting in the regions and shadows of death, and perishing for the lack of knowledge ! If, that * some (men) had not the knowledge of God,' was spoken to the shame of Christians in Paul's day, what must be spoken of Christians in these days ! O, when will Christians wake up to the importance of ' keep- ing the commandments of God !' And it is still of more amazing and painful concern, that so many pro- fessed Christians, like the Jews in Paul's time, rise up ^forbidding us to preach (the gospel) to the Gen- tiles, that they may be saved.' *' I agree with you, that every church should act as a missionary society, and that if, at the concert meet- ings, some one or two of the members would prepare themselves to make some brief remarks relative to some case, history, or interesting incident of the mis- sionaries, it would give a * heightened interest' to those meetings, and to the cause of missions generally. It would also excite attention to the history of mission- ary operations as they transpire. We need very much in our denomination an increased taste for read- ing. Any thing which would tend to increase this desire, would benefit the cause, by developing and rendering familiar, the labors, difficulties, and situa- 206 MiJMOlKS OF tions of the Missionaries ; and doubtless, at the same time enfoi'ce the moral and personal obligations of giving the gospel to the Pagan world. " I rejoice that the prospects before you were en- couraging — that you have made such progress in the acquisition of the language, as to be able to write a tract in Chinese, which was soon to be published. I have great hope, by the grace of God, on the circula- tion of tracts. They are silent and unobtrusive, and will get admission where a Missionary would be re- jected. I am happy also to learn that * the Portu- guese government has somewhat altered its policy,* so that Missionaries can now reside in any of the pre- cincts of the ' Celestial Empire.' Those parts where the prohibitory laws of the Emperor cannot affect the cause are so extensive, that if the word of the Lord should take deep root in them it would easily spread into the interior. But why speak in this casual strain 1 He wko touches the mountains and they smoke, and the hills and they skip, can say to the haughty and imperial Throne of China, * be thou removed,' and it shall vanish away like smoke, or yield obedience at once to the King of nations ! ** I am acquainted with Brother I. J. Roberts. While I wish him all grace and success in his under- takings, I can but regret his isolated condition. If the Board should make Macao a permanent station, (and under existing circumstances I see no reason why they should not,) 1 trust you may find in him a true yoke-fellow in the great cause of evangelizing (by the blessing of God on your labors) the Chinese, and bringing them to the obedience of faith. " As to sending you more laborers from Georgia, it would rejoice my heart to see many young men rising JESSE MERCER. 207 up, like the zealous and devoted Isaiah, and saynig to the call of God, each for himself, * Here am I — send vie /' But alas ! we have a great deficiency of pious, devoted, and faithful ministers in this state, and there seems little spirit of prayer in the churches, to the Lord of the haiA^est, that he would send laborers into his haiTcst, which is truly large. " It will give me pleasure to send you, my brother, any thing — Minutes, and the Index, which may aflford you and those with you, any consolation or strength. " With Sister S. I have no acquaintance, but what 1 have gained from her letters, &c. — but it has been quite sufficient to give her an interest in my best wishes for her happiness and prosperity in the gieat enterprise in which she has, as your lieljp meet, en- gaged. My most sincere gratulations to her and Bro- ther Roberts. May grace, mercy, and peace be with you all, and give you success, is the prayer of one who is deeply interested in the Missionary enterprise. " Jesse;^Mercer." The movements of the Abolitionists, which at one time seemed to threaten the disruption of the north and south, gave him much concern. He looked upon the separation of the denomination as a result gieatly to be deplored, inasmuch as it must necessarily em- barrass, to a feaiful extent, our foreign missionary op- erations, and portend great evils to our common coun- try. In a letter to Mr. Bolles, he expresses his senti- ments on this exciting subject with great candor and freedom. 208 MEMOIRS OF " Washington, Oct. S]*^ 1B40. *'My Dear Brother Bolles, "Yours from Philadelphia was duly received, and I was gratified in reading its contents. I have also received an address to the missionaiies, the sen- timents of which I approve. I have all along intend- ed to write, but continued and increased affliction has led to procrastination ; and so it is, I have not under- taken it till now. But now it seems to be imperious on me to speak. The address of the Anti-slavery Convention held in New- York last spring, with E. G. as president signed to it, and certain copies of the Reflector, have been sent to almost all our ministers and pastors of churches, and other prominent persons among us, and, I suppose, through all the Southern States ; and have acted as fire brands through all our parts. Our abolition brethren are exceedingly mistaken in the case they have undertaken to reme- dy ; and th^efore, their measures can only operate a had influence ; and the tendency will inevitably be to break up all our united operations, and, I seriously fear, our civil union also. They ought to consider that the institution of slavery is a civil and not an ec- clesiastical one ; and that it is not one of our (the present ovsmers') making ; that we, as a slaveholding people, are mostly the inheritors of them from our forefathers — that they came into possession under the prejudice of early education. We have been taught from our cradles that they were our money, that we had a right or title to them. This has grown with our growth, and strengthened with our riper years. Now be this right or wrong, it ought to be kept in mind that this prejudice is not to be removed by any JESSE MERCER. 209 smmediaic cause, nor by hard words, or by arbitrary condemnation. These can only excite to a fiery re- sistance, and, of course, rivet the chains of the preju- dice (above stated) the tighter, and strengthen them by the influence of that interest which blinds the judg- ment. The terms on which the address proposes the continuance of christian fellowship are altogether im- I practical. If we would, we cannot comply. We \ are, as a community, both classes, as a tangled hank, ; so tangled that we cannot be severed in the way pro- 1 posed. We have no alternative, therefore, but to ! yield to their sentence (bull) of excommunication. I suppose before you receive this, you will have re- ceived an address from the Executive Committee of our Convention, (a copy of which has been sent me,) on this vexatious subject. I exceedingly regret the necessity of this movement in our Board, but under the circumstances, I must justify them in it. I was not able to attend our session of the Association, nor the meeting of the Executive Committee. I too re- gret the alternative to which the pi"esent crisis sub- jects the acting members of the Board of Foreign Missions. They must disavow any connexion with or approval of the ultra movements of the Abolitionists or lose the southern interest in the FoiX3igTi Mission cause. Our people talk of a southern Board ; but that to me is just equal to an entire separation from the cause itself. The Board will have to look to the north and northwest for its supplies, and the south will cease to do any thing, or turn their benefactions some other way. * * * * "Dear brethren, we have fallen on stony places, and some of us will be sorely tried. A few, with myself, would prefer to continue our union and co- 10* ^ 210 MEMOIRS OF operation, Abolitionism notwithstanding ; but wliat can the few do against the many 1 The consequences of a dissolution of our missionary co-operation will be deleterious, if not ruinous. We must reflect on our obligations to our missionaries. This obligation is of the most serious character, and ought not to be broken without paramount considerations. But I leave all these things to be digested by your wisdom and prudence, *' I have written the above with considerable pain, and must a-^k the prayers of the Board to God for me and wife, who is paralytic both in body and mind, that we may be able to endure as beholding him that is invisible, ready to help. With sentiments of affec- tionate regard, " I am, dear brethren, yours in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. "Jesse Mercer." A short time before the meeting of the General Convention in 1841, he thus speaks upon the same subject through the columns of the Christian Index. " I am of opinion we are making quite too much of their puffings and loud noise. If they are dis- posed to roar, let them roar on, zmhceded by us ; for to be disquieted and alarmed is just what they want — the more they can disturb and discompose us, the bet- ter they will be pleased. Now let us care as little about all their ' sound of words' as a company of shepherds would the bowlings of wolves on the op- posite side of an impassable river. Let them alone, and their long and their loiid soundings will die harm- less, in the distance. JESSE iMEKCEll. 211 "It may be asked vvliat bIiuII vvc do in this distress- ing case 1 I give as my ad^cc, to sacnfice feeling to principle^ and hold on. To continue the union of the present effort in the General Convention, to me is pal- pable and all important. A division of the southern brethren from the northern, would, in my view, be deleterious, if not totally ruinous to the whole con- cern. Some talk of a Southern Board, but this to me is visionary and futile. AVe have no southern inter- course with India, and should have to send our funds through the same channel they now go, and that would defeat the very object for which a Southern Board would be gotten up. I see no way that a Southern Board could sup2)ort missionaries in Bur- mah, or other places in the East, without trusting their funds to northern conveyances, and whom would they sooner trust than the present tried members of the Board of Missions % I hope our southeni brethren will never think of it. " But before I close this article, I must say some- thing about the a2)proaching Triennial Convention. Many North and South, are looking to that meeting with great expectation. Well ; I hope something will be done then, tending to settle the agitations which novvr threaten the dissolution of the missionary compact. For myself, it is my settled conviction, that to pretend to investigate the right or the wrongs the merits or the demerits of slavery, would bo worse than folly. Who can amuse himself with the idea, that that question could be decided in a public con- troversy ? Nothing could be the result but ' strifes of itordsy whereof cometh envy and perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds.' I think nobody, North or South, on mature reflection, can desire such a dis- 212 MEMOIRS OF pute, except Abolitionists, and 1 suppose it would be marrow and fatness to ^eir souls. Something, how- ever, should be done in that meeting to harmonize the feelings of the South, and to direct the energies of all united in the missionary enterprise, in one sacred effort to send the gospel to the heathen. I cannot persuade myself, but that there will be a great majority of those who shall form that body, that will have no Tiesitancy to unite in the sentiment, that for any Bap- tist minister or set of ministers, however large, to judge and condemn others, unheard, as guilty of most base crimes, and to pass resolutions of disfellowship in relation to brethren over whom they have no dis- ciplinary jurisdiction, is undenominational and con- trary to the plain dictates of the word of God; and therefore, not to be tolerated in any belonging to the Convention, much less any member or members of the Board itself." Mr. Mercer had enjoyed an opportunity of culti- vating considerable acquaintance with his northern brethren, and though he most decidedly condemned the course of a few unreasonable and erratic men, yet he placed a high estimate upon the prudence, piety, and zeal of the great body, and especially of the more prominent individuals concerned in the management of our missionary affairs. There are some who will, no doubt, recollect the ingenious, and yet kind and paternal manner in which, at one of the meetings of the State Convention, he softened down a discussion in which there had been thrown out some rather un- kind intimations against the brethren of the north. The following is about the substance of his remarks. "Brethren, allow me just here as I am sitting, to JESSE MERCER. 213 relate a little anecdote : though it has something to do with myself, yet I hope you will nevertheless ex- cuse it. In my younger days, and when I was also young in the ministry, I had occasion to pay a visit to Charleston, S. C. I went to the place with many pre- judices against the brethren in that place, taking it for granted, that as they lived in a large city, they were a proud, formal, fashionable people, and had very little religion. I did not expect to be pleased with them. But after a few days intercourse with them, I found them a very kind, humble, spiritual people ; and I left them with the conviction that they had a great deal more religion than I had. Now in regard to our northern brethren, let me say I have been with them, and have had an opportunity of judging of their spirit ; and brethren, they are a hetter people than we arer If this disposition to lie at our brethren's feet, and to esteem others better than ourselves, were universally prevalent, how much bitterness, jealousy and strife would be banished from the church of Christ. The following brief notes on Matt. 28 : 19 ; " Go ye therefore and teach all nations,'^ were found among Mr. Mercer's manuscripts, and may serve as a speci- men of his longest skeletons of semions, of which, however, he prepared but very few. " The gospel is of God. Its glorious design trav- ails with infinite benignity to the praise of his gi^ace in the salvation of men. It exhibits a system of means, reserving the efficient cause to God alone. The humble beneficiaries are constituted its instru- ments. It is of grace they are so. A failure of suc- cess in their labors, admits of no discouragement. 211 MEMOIRS OF They have received more than they have rendered back ; and then' Lord w^as ever beforehand with them, and they were originally unworthy. Privilege never comes alone ; it is always accompanied by obligation. God gives something in the jDrivilege, which he never fails to require again, according to his own wisdom and counsel. Hence the vows of God are upon us. * Where the word of a king is, there is power.' And this power must be felt when Jehovah-Jesus speaks. When He who has all power in heaven and earth commands, ' go ye therefore, and teach all nations,* who will be inattentive, or disregard his authority 1 ** My brethren, let us spend a little time in contem~ plating the command of God to teach the nations. *' I. Whose duty it is. "II. What it involves ; and " III. The ground of encouragement to those who are making one sacred effort to obey the command. — And " I. Whose duty it is. " The eleven were present only ; but it could not have been restricted to them, for then the ministry would have ceased with them. Christ says of him- self, ' I am the light of the world as long as I am in it.' If then the command rested with them, both the work and the authority for it must have ended with them, and the world is now wrapt in moral and spiritual night ! But they must have been the representatives of all ministers of Christ till the end of the world. " In pi'oof of this. The commission itself extend- ing to the end of time. The mode of expression by Mark, and the manner of Christ's addressing in rela- tion to the end of the world, and of his second com- ing, and how they ought to be found of him, are in JESSE MEIICEU. 215 point. Also the apostolic rule of expounding proph- ecy to be command. " They must also have been the constituents of the Gospel church. In proof of this, what Christ says of them in his sermon, and the figurative illustration he gives of them and their duty, answering only to the church of Christ, is in evidence. But if the prophe- cies are commands, then the question is at rest for ever. It is the church's duty, including all, not with- out ministers, to teach the nations. The church is the pillar and gi-ound of the truth, &:c. The prophecies being commands, taken together with the examples of the first churches, will show that the duty of teaching the nations lies on the church and ministers. " II. What it involves. *' 1. The publication of the scriptures. In proof of this, urge the example and command of God — the prophetic declarations in Isa. 2:3. 4 : 12. 42 : 4. 49 : 22. 62 : 10. •* 2. The translation of the scriptures. The rea- sonableness and necessity of it. The giving of tongues and ceasing of them — the choice of the Apostles to publish the New Testament in the Greek, being the most popular language then in the world ; and Paul's sentiment for plain words. " 3. The sending of men to teach them. The ap- pointment of the Prophets and Apostles is sufficient to prove this point. But Ps. 68 : 11. Dan. 12 : 4. It is declared in Isa. 66 ; 19. Ps. 4.5 : 16. Isa. 60 : 11. " 4. The use of money, and a great deal of it. The service of God in Israel required a great deal of mon- ey, &c. The prophecies show that presents and giflB should be brought unto Zion for the service of God, and the first churches did abound in liberalities, &:c. 216 ' MEMOIRS OF " III. The encouragement afforded " Lies in the commander's having all power in heav- en and earth, whereby the free use of all means, the employment of men and angels, and the fulfilment of all the promises are sure. " Inferences. '* 1. The propriety of being ready for the work. " 2. Unity in the effort — and " 3. Courage and strength in the work." The following piece originally published in an April number of the Christian Index, 1832, when edited by brother W. T. Brantly, in Philadelphia, may here be allowed a place as a kind of appendix to this chapter, . since it has some bearing upon the missionary cause. As it embraced some topics of a different character, the biographer did not think best to break the con- nexion of the preceding portions of the chapter, by inserting it in its proper chronological order. It re- fers to the unhappy affair of Messrs. Worcester and Butler, missionaries of the American Board of Com- missioners for Foreign Missions, who, refusing to sub- mit to the laws of Georgia when the state saw fit to extend her jurisdiction over the Cherokees, had been arrested by the civil authorities, and confined in the \ penitentiary. Many distorted and eiToneous repre- sentations of the occurrence were circulated far and wide to the injury of the reputation of the state ; and some respectable Baptist publications (without any evil purpose, it is presumed,) assisted in giving them currency. The design of this communication was to present the subject in its proper light, and to aid in allaying the ferment of the public mind. If it failed in fully exonerating the authorities of the state JESSE MERCER. 217 from blame in the view of all, it showed clearly that they had been greatly misrepresented, and that the character of Georgia had found a very able and zeal- ous advocate in the person of Mr. Mercer. The wri- ter believes he is correct in stating that the offensive piece complained of by brother Mercer, which ap- peared in the Baptist Magazine, was not published by the sanction of the Board. In a manner worthy of all commendation, that highly respectable and efficient body have ever kept themselves aloof from all mat- ters irrelevant to the one great object for which they were appointed, the superintendence of our Foreign Missionary work. ** Imprisonment of the Missionaries to the Cherokees.'* "Brother Brantlt, " In regard to this subject, the editors of periodi- cals seem to me to have made themselves busy-bodies in other men's matters, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. It is truly to be regretted that such an event should have ever trans- pired. But before Georgia should be criminated, it ought to be demonstrated to be the legitimate result of her laws ; and not the sheer consequence of insub- ordinate feelings, and unloyal conduct in the mission- aries towards them. *' The right of Georgia to extend her government over that pait of her state which was in the occupan- cy of the Cherokees, I do not pretend to deteimine j and it seems to come with a very ill grace, from any individual, unhesitatingly to denounce the judicial proceedings of a sovereign state, as * unconstitutional, unjust and wicked.' But it may, however, be asked, 218 MEMOIRS OF what right that was which Georgia conveyed to the United States by the cession of 1802 ] And whether the United States did not take jurisdiction over the territory ceded, and all the Indian tribes therein, by virtue of said contract ? If so, then it was always rio-ht in Georgria to exercise the same jurisdiction within that part of her territory not so ceded ; and the United States could constitutionally have no con- trol over it but by her consent. Under this consent, impliedly yielded, the United States have had a gov- ernmental agency over the Cherokees, till they at- tempted the establishment of an independent, national government within the limits of Georgia. Now it is believed no state would look on such a government rising up within her bounds, with approbation. Geor- gia did not approve of it, and has resisted it. And who can blame her ? ** They who know any thing of the affairs of the Cherokee country, as it lies under the agency of the United States, know that no white person (excej)t he belong to the nation,) was peimitted to reside among the Indians, without a license both from the United States and the Indians ; and that yet intruders were constantly insinuating themselves among them ; not only to serve themselves of the Indians, but to eat the fat of the land ; and that the United States' troops had frequently to scour the country and drive them out. It became Georgia, therefore, in taking the government of her territory, to act on the same prin- fciple, and to see that no white person (not otherwise authorized,) should reside therein, who was either disposed to gratify his own licentious interests, or was inimical to her cause. This was necessary, both for the safety of the Indians, and the good of the state. JESSE MEIICEII. 219 It was therefore provided by law, that after a given time, all white persons residing among the Indians within her juiisdiction, (United States' and states' agents, persons renting improvements of Indians emigrated west of the Mississippi, all females and children excepted,) should have obtained a license or permit from the governor or his agent, for that pur- pose ; and have subscribed the following oath : * I, A. B., do solemnly swear (or affirm as the case may be,) that I will support and defend the constitution and laws of the state of Georgia, and uprightly de- mean myself as a citizen thereof, so help me God ;' or on failure thereof, should be deemed * guilty of an high misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by confinement in the penitentiary at hard labor, for a term not less than four years.' This is the obnoxious law, to which the missionaries not yielding, as pious christians should, a quiet submis- sion, but opposing their resistance, have fallen under its penalty, and are imprisoned in the penitentiary. But, brother Editor, what can there be in this law, so offensive to these missionaries 1 Its requirements bind them to do nothing but what all good men are morally bound to do ; and to which all the disinte- rested motives inducing these men to en^^asfe in the missionary enterprise, should have influenced them to yield a ready compliance ; not only because the law of God requires it, but because the very constitu- tion and laws they would thereby bind themselves to £3upport, do guarantee to, and defend them in * the in- estimable privilege of worshipping God in a manner agreeable to their own conscience.' Thus it will ap- pear, these men were only required to support the laws, which in turn would have suppoited them in 220 MEMOIRS OF their missionary labors. Why then resist them ] And why is Georgia denounced as highly criminal in this affair, even by christian editors 1 " I have seen in the ' Pioneer' of the West, some harsh and even cruel things on this subject, w^hich would have better suited an infidel paper. I had thouo-ht the editor, a brother of more candor, and dis- passionate argument. " But, more than all, I have sickened at reading a piece, under the above caption, in the ' American Bap- tist Magazine.' The publishers are men of undoubted worth, deep and liberal piety. And it is the more to be reoretted, that they should have been led to publish this libel on G-eorgia, so derogatory to the genius and objects of the Magazine ; but especially as they had its refutation, not merely within their reach, but in their very grasp ! It would have been less painful if they had no missionary in the same territory, and sub- jected to the same lav/s; but he promptly met the requirements, and so far from sinking, he stands high- er in the estimation of all parties ; so that they had a practical demonsti'ation, under their own patronage, that the evil complained of was neither in the design,, laws, nor administration of Georgia ; else their Mis- sionary would have been imprisoned too ! " They say, ' the periodical publications have fur- nished the disgraceful fact, that Dr. Butler and Mr. Worcester, Missionaries among the Cherokees, have been sentenced to the penitentiary in Georgia, for re- siding among the Indians.' This is part true, but to a stranger it conveys what is not true. These men were not sentenced to the penitentiary, merely for re- siding among the Indians ; but for residing within the jurisdiction of Georgia, in defiance of her laws : but JESSE MERCER. 221 whether tliis is a disgi'aceful fact to Georgia remains to be proved. If, however, it is vv^icked in a state to execute her laws, and cause them to be respected within her own bounds — if Missionaries, as such, are unaccountable to any laws, human or divine, and if it is virtuous in tlicm to despise dominion and speak evil of dignities, then it is a disgraceful fact, that Geor- gia has reduced them ; but if otherwise, then these nominal Missionaries are suffeiing only the reward of their own temerity ! " The managers of the Magazine have adverted to * the imprisonment of Mr. Judson, in Burmah, and of John Bunyan, in England,' as analagous, it should seem, not only the more to disgrace Georgia, but to * arouse feeling of the most decisive disapprobation in the breasts of every Christian and patriot,' against her. But is there any parity in the cases ] Is the government of Georgia a despotic barbarism ] Has she made any laws * forbidding ministers to preach the gospel,' or to prevent Missionaries * remaining on the Indian lands, and exercising their missionary func- tions ] If she has, the fact is disgraceful ; but, if not, then they should have remembered what that means — I will have mercy and not sacrifice. ** But they further say, ' perhaps no event has oc- curred in the country, which has excited greater sur- prise and displeasure among good men, than the de- grading manner in which the Missionaries of the cross have been arrested, conducted in chains to trial, and consigned to the penitentiary.' But it remains to be proved, that these professed * Missionaries of the cross' received any mal -treatment — especially that they were 'conducted in chains to trial;* as the con- ducting officer assures me, there never was a chain 222 MEMOIRS OF on them, except while in bed, and that only for safe- keeping, as the other prisoners were. " The managers seem to take for granted what is not true, and therefore have been led into error ; that is, that Georgia has passed laws forbidding missionary operations among the Indians ; and have condemned these men as Missionaries. But no such laws exist, nor has any judicial proceeding been had with these men, in any other character than w^iite men, offend- ing against her laws. Georgia regrets, we all regret, that they were Missionaries. " Since writing the above, I have been infoiTned, that the Supreme Court of the United States, (or a majority of the Judges presiding,) have sustained the writ of error against Georgia, and decreed that the sentence of the Superior Court here should be re- versed, and the prisoners released. But this decree makes the case neither better nor worse in a moral point of view : circumstantially, it may make it a great deal worse. It! will be viewed in Georgia as an in- terference with her internal rights, which has no con- stitutional basis ; nay, as a direct infringement of her constitutional right, and an infraction of her sovereign- ty within her own judicial bounds. As the Governor and Legislature of Georgia considered the writ nuga- tory, and confiding in the wisdom and justice of the Supreme Court, determined not to appear in the case, it is probable her Judges will pay as little attention to the decree. If so, and it should be attempted to be enforced, none need be surprised, should it prove the scissors that clips the cord that binds our union, and. the pen that writes Ichabod on it for ever. " Dear brother, I tremble while I write, at the pros- pect before us. I have always been an unionist, and JESSE MERCER, 223 have resisted all ideas of dissolution as desperate. But when I hear Solomon say, ' Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad ;' and James, * Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth ;' I can but fear the signs of these times ! I hope, however, that there may yet be * a redeeming spirit' in the United States, * and that she may adopt a course, which may allay the just excitement which exists in the public mind' of Georgia, and preserve our beloved Union. Our last, and only sure resort, however, is — ' God is our rofugc in distress, A present help when dangers press ; In him iindauntcd we'll confide; Though eaiih were from her centre tost, And mountains in the ocean lost, Torn pioco-mcal by the roaring tidiv' *' Jessk Mfrckr," CHAPTER X. Mr. Mercer and the Temperance Cause. — At first stands aloof. — His reasons for this in a letter to Mr. Branlly. — Mr. B.'s edito- rial comments. — Finally takes the pledge. — Establishes a Tem- perance Paper. — Opposes the use of wine. — His opinion on the traffic in spirits. — Remarks from the Index. — Sketch of a Tem- perance Discourse — Short notei on tho Wine Question. It would not be proper to pass over in entire si- lence Mr. Mercer's relation to the great Temperance Refonnation. For several years he took no active part in its support, and it is highly probable that many of his friends and admirers, by the influence of his ex- S24 MEMOIRS OP ample, were induced to withhold their names from the temperance pledge. And as he was in the habit for many years, in accordance with the advice of physi- cians, of using Cogniac Brandy^ in moderate quanti- ties, Ave are not required by charity to discredit some reports which crept into circulation, that now and then an inveterate drinker, with an air of complacency and triumph, would quote the example of Mr. Mercer in his own vindication. The following extracts from a letter of Mr. Mercer, published in the Columbian Star and Christian Index, in 1829, may be read with some interest, as it explains the ground occupied by him at that time. The letter was intended to rebuke what he considered the unguarded and intemperate zeal of some of the friends of the Reformation, and also to present his reasons for not connecting himself with a temperance Society. " It becomes the members and real friends of tem- perance to be moderate, forbearing and tender ; not to offend, but conciliate. To bear much without re- tort ; to go forward without conflict ; to gain the vantage ground by non-resistance. I am (if non- members can be) friendly to the anti-intemperance societies. I have been informed, however, that my example has been quoted on the opposite side. This I deeply regret. I am sure this was done without knowing any justifying reason, except, that I still used spirits, and had not become a member of some tem- perance society. For the sake of such I will state my example and the cause why I am not an actual mem- ber, &c. * When it pleased the Lord to reveal his dear Son in me,' and to impress me with the worth of immortal souls, I was made deeply to deplore the JESSE MEKCtil. 225 lavages of iiitemperancc, and to inquire what was the source of this wide-spreading evil : And I soon came to tlie conclusion that the tippling shops, and other places of public resort for drinking, were the most, if not the true and only cause of intemperance ; and I have ever avoided them as the snares of death. No man can, with truth, accuse me of entering, or visit- ing one of these places and calling/c/r a gill or half libit, to this day. I have, in days when temperance societies were unknown, recommended this as an ex- ample to others ; but with what success, the day of final decision must make known. It may be asked, why I am not a member ] It is not because I think * it degrading to a Baptist to become a member of a lemj^erance society,' but that my brethren have now gone rather too far for me, and more especially, be- cause I wish to be consistent in the view of my be- holders. 1. I have not yet been convinced that the use of spirits is in itself a sin. Convince me of this and I will be a member, or come to * the desired re- sult.' But, 2d. I have been in bad health for years past, as you know, and after using many celebrated and prepared medicines, without effect, to restore the tone of my intestines, several of the most eminent physicians, at different times and places, recommend- ed to me the hahitual use of Cogniac brandy. This course I adopted reluctantly, but with apparently good effect. I now use it medicinally ; but this can- not be generally known, and therefore, I do not join the society. But the main object — to promote temper- ance, hy suppressing intemperance, I most cordially patronise and wish to promote. But I fear it is likely to suffer in the hands uf its friends." 11 226 MEMOIRS OF Upon the letter, from which the above is extracted, the Editor, Rev. W. T. Brantly, who by the by was an ardent friend and great admirer of Mr. Mercer, made some rather severe, though entirely well-meant, and good-natured comments. • They excited many a pleasant smile at the time, rather at the expense of the venerable brother ; and the Editor's expressive figure, *' Brandy Bay,"" soon became a standard phrase amongst the people. The following are his remarks : '• We can never dissent from any opinion or prac- tice of our dear Mercer, without suspecting and scru- tinizing the accuracy of our own views. He is so uniformly right and good, that we might be almost tempted to pick up, and preserve, the very errors which he lets fall ; but in the present case he has dropt from the rear wallet, more of this commodity than we can honestly pocket, and more we apprehend than he himself will, on reflection, think worth pre- sei-vation. The use of Cagniac in his own case for medicinal purposes, we pretend not to question. Let it be so in his case and in all other similar cases. If it be^ an essential article in the Materia Medica, we have no quarrel with it. But we should remember, nevertheless, that if our use of calomel or arsenic^ which are potent medicines, should be likely to make our neighbors and families so fond of the poison as to endanger their lives, though w^e ourselves might be wise enough to avoid danger from it, yet on their ac- count we should banish the snare. I have a good vessel and steerage, and am an expert sailor, and can therefore cruise about in Brandy Bay without being drawn into the whirlpool of intemperance, but some JESSE MERCER. 227 of my less skillul neighbors, seeing me sail go pleas- antly, may be lemptcd to go a pleasuring upon the aame deceitful Bay, and may be lost. If my example encouraged them to the venture, I should have cause of regi'et." Satisfied at length that his example was doing in- jury, under the influence of the sacred principle laid down by the Apostle Paul, that " it is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumblcth, or is offended, or is made tccak,'^ Mr. Mercer determined to abandon his little moderate excursions on " Brandy Bay,^' though rendered some- what needful as he supposed, by his declining health, and draw up his boat and fasten it for ever upon the safe and dry shore of Total Abstinence. He soon became a thorough and able advocate of the cause, was appointed the President of a Temper- ance Society in the town where he resided, and estab- lished a temperance paper, which, though sustained at a pecuniary loss to himself, had considerable circu- lation, and was the means of doing much good. The paper was transfeiTed with the Index office to Pen- field, where it is now published by Mr. Benj. Brantly, not however, as the paper of the Convention, but as his own individual concern. Should any be anxious to know what effect the en- tire disuse of Coguiac Brandy had upon Mr. Mercer's health, the writer feels authorized to state, for he heard it from his own lips, that his abstinence was rather beneficial than otherwise, and that he was satis- fied at iencrth the incdicinc he had been usinij tended, on the whole, to aggravate the disease it was designed to milici^ale. 22S MEMOIRS OF It will be recollected that for many years the use of wine was tolerated by most temperance societies, bttt that at last the propriety of this began to be ques- tioned, and finally that it became pretty generally a settled point, that the temperance reformation de- manded for itself a radical reform, inasmuch as its- great designs could not thoroughly and universally be accomplished upon any other principle than that of total abstinence from all kinds of intoxicating drinks. At the early stage of this second reform, Mr. Mercer was found amongst its warmest advocates ; and he was no less ready to warn the people of the danger- ous shoals of Madeira Lake, than he had been for many years to point out the fatal whirlpools of Bran- dy Bay. Mr. Mercer's opinion of the traffic in ardent spirits may be learned from an answer which he gave through the Index to the question, " What is to be done with a church member who traffics in ardent spirits ]" It is as follows : " In this case we are of opinion, the church should be as kindly affcctioncd towards such a brother, as the case will permit, and endeavor by brotherly love to dissuade him from his course. His duty however is plain. He should immediately forsake the traffic which is offcnsii-e to his brethren, as his hounden duty. Read Rom. 14 : 13. 15. 19, 20, 21. 1 Cor. 8 : 10-13. The scripture requires us to walk circumspectly. It ought to be noticed, that public opinion is changed, and changing very fast on this subject. And the traf- fic in ardent spirits cannot be entered into now, as safely as it could some years ago. It is now satisfac- torily ascertained that there is no heneft whatsoever JESSE MERCER. 229 ill ardent spirits. It must therefore be morally A\Torig to offer for sale, that which the vender knows can do the buyer no good. It must be worse to offer for sale that which he knows, while it can do him no good., may do him much harm. We regret very much that any Christian brother should allow himself, under any pretence, to engage in a traffic which would make it his interest to cncouracfe his fellow-men to ruin them- selves for time and eternity. And such must be the interest of those who enter into the traffic of ardent spirits." The annexed piece from the pen of Mr. Mercer, appeared also in the columns of the Index. It con- tains some solid and judicious reflections. "a matter for SOBER CONSIDERATION." ** Noiv consider this, ye that forget God, Test I tear you in pieces, and there he none to deliver. JfiHOVAlT. " It is w^ise and safe in man to study the will, and endeavor to walk before God to all well pleasing. To be indifferent to his honor, must be offensive to hia majesty and provoking to his wrath. We are com- manded that whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, to do all to the glory of God. This teaches us that the little affairs of life and the pleasures of taste should all be regulated by this rule : for we may of- fend in eating and drinking. This must depend on the motives we have, and the extent to which we in- dulge them in eating and drinking. Our Creator made us dependant on wholesome aliment for gi'owth, health and beauty; and has graciously given us ap- 230 MEMOIRS OF petites and cravings for it. The gi'atlfication of tliese natural desires so far as consists with the ends to be secured, must be according to the pleasure of him who gave us riclily all things to enjoy ; but all beyond this must be injurious and offensive — must be intem- perance, gluttony and debauch. This evil state will be produced by losing sight (in part or in whole) of the meet ends to be attained in eating and drinking, and in seeking to satiate those appetites which are ex- cessive, and which in their indulgence become insa- tiable ; and thus men plunge themselves into licen- tiousness, dissipation and perdition. " There is another circumstance Avhich as^sri'avates this sore evil among the people. It is the prepara- tion of food, or the invention of new articles of food, to suit the cravings of the vitiated palate, or to please a debased taste, which, instead of improving the strength, pleasure and usefulness of the body, only tends to enervation, disease and death. Among this last class, are those articles of food which have in them no nutiiment at all, and are used only for certain relishes which they possess, suitable to gratify the palate and regale the taste, and which are, therefore, the better adapted to increase dissipation, misery and ruin in society. Here it may be proper to inquire, whether this was not, most probably, the very purpose for which intoxicating liquors were at first introduced as a hevej'age, into common use ? It could not have been on account of any nutritious quality they had ; for universal experience has proven that they contain no such quality. It must, therefore, have been fi'om some medical virtue found in them, or their tendency to excite and please a vicious taste their use had cre- ated ; or to animate the feelings and arouse the baser JESSE MERCEU. 231 passions of the heart. It may be asked if they can in no way be lawfully used ? We answer yes : in just so far as they can be satisfactorily proven to be need- ful, either for the good of the user or the happiness of the community ; otherwise their use will be inju- rious, and, by the dictates of common sense, ought to be declined. But it may be further asked, — does not the bible allow their use ; Yes — just so far and no farther than they are beneficial. The bible does not permit their use for food ; for there is no sustenance in them. It cannot allow their use for the fulfilment of any but the innocent and natural desires — but there are no such desires for them to satisfy. There is nothing in them that can gratify any natural propen- sity of nature. The bible, then, allows their use only so far as they are medical. That is in cases of dis- ease, where the patient * is ready to j^erisliy and sink- ing nature needs some artificial excitement, or when pining sickness, or hysteria, and other disordered af- fections (heavy hearts,) or a complication of com- plaints (often infirmities,) make their use needful to sustain, invigorate and assist the body in regaining its health. " But we are fully of opinion that the bible indi- rectly, at least, forbids their use as a common bever- age, because that use is practised only to gratify a desire or taste which is unnatural, and unnecessary for the benefit of the body, but altogether artificial, and which, in the attempt to supply its cravings, proves itself insatiate and vicious. Let it be carefully determined to what class of desires mentioned in the bible, the desire which leads to the use of spirituous liquors, belongs. Can it be classed with those desires fur nouiishment which are common] No — because *bese always have something good, and capable tp 232 MEMOIRS OF give the satisfaction in view ; but there is no such ca- pacity in those liquors to afford gratification, and the desire for them does not belong legitimately to human nature. Does it in any wise associate with the de- sires of the child of grace, who is prompted by the spirit to seek spiritual nourishment 1 No — for these are holy ; and the more they are fulfilled, the more spiritual, holy, heavenly and godlike do their possess- ors become ; but not so with the desire for alcoholic drinks, for the more it is fed, the more earthly^ sensu- al and devilish do its possessors become. It cannot belong to these. But we think it best associates with the desires of the Jlesh^ in which they who are dead in sins, walk. These desires are called lusts, because of their vicious character ; and they are declared by the apostle to be * corrupt.' And what habit tends to more corruption, individual and social, than that which is constantly, in regard to ardent spirits, like the horse- leech's daughters, crying, give, give, — and like tli e fire that can never he satisfied ? They are also pronounced * deceitful.' And what desire in its gi'atification can be mare deceitful than this ? It constantly is promising something good and pleasurable to its votaries, and yet deals uniformly in disappointments, wretchedness and death. They also are said to ' tear against the soul.' And what desire or lust can strike a more deadly blow at every interest of the soul, whether for time or eternity, than this ? " If the desire for alcoholic liquors must be classed with the lusts of the flesh, and we cannot see that it can be placed in any other company, then the bible must be at war with the fulfilment of it, because its tendency is as much, if not more than any other, to fill the icorld with corrujjtion. And if God is at va- riance with the <^uses of sin, and strikes at the roots JESSE MERCER. 233 of iniquity, lio must be opposed to this, as a most fniilful source of all moral evil — of all unriohteous- O ness and ungodliness in the eaith. To suppose liim to be favorable to the gratification of this desire, any more than he is favorable to the fractice of sin^ would be to suppose him the accomplice of the workers of iniquity, and to hare fellowship with the fruitful work of unrighteousness ; which would be palpably deroga- tory' to all the attributes of his nature, and counter to all the tenor of his word. It cannot be. " And now to conclude this long article, permit us to address among our readers, the professors of reli- gion. We request every christian brother whose eyes shall fall on these lines, to ask himself, as in the pres- ence of God his Saviour, whether it is light to use any thing, not necessary to his well-being, which tends to generate a thirst, the gratification of which is dan- gerous to morality, piety, and religion % And whether it can be y\^\1 to fulfil the desires of that thirst when excited, since it only leads to disorder, miseiy, and death % You have professed to be converted from sin, to have turned to God and joined his armies, warring: asfainst all unrighteousness and ungodliness in the world. TiTily it may be said of those who in- dulge in potations to slake this vicious thirst, that they have not resisted unto hload, striving against sin; but they have by their example and influence, been build- ing up the strongholds of the kingdom of darkness. Alas ! alas ! for this inconsistency. We are aston- ished that christian professors have slej^t over this glaring sin so long. That they have not opened their eyes and looked on the prodigious strides which ini- quity is taking by means of this vice, encouraged by iheii' example, leaving behind it nought but tears, wo - 11* 234 MEMOIRS OP and despair. We trust they will soon talve the warn- ino-, and arise to the rescue. That ministers of the gospel will, with one voice, 'Blow the tiTimpet in Zion, and sound the alarm in God's holy mount,' until all shall unite in the pledge of total abstinence." Brief sketch of a temperance discourse found amongst Mr. Mercer's manuscripts. "Rom. 13 : 10. Love worketh no ill to his neigh- bor; Therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law." " T. Love — what is it 1 " Love fulfils both tables of the law. Matt. 22 : 35 — 40. But more particularly the second. Matt. 7 : 12. Love to ourselves fixes the standard of moral conduct. It is a principle of nature. Rom. 2 : 13 — 15. It secures us from harm. Eph. 5 : 29. — and leads to happiness and praise. Ps. 49 : 18. (* Men will praise thee when thou doest well to thyself.') " This principle will secure our neighbor from in- jury, (see the text,) and seek his good; Rom. 15 : 2. It will forego its o^^^l pleasure to save its neiglibor from suffering injury; Rom. 14 : 21. It will even abandon what is lav/ful, Jest it should do harm, &c. ; 1 Cor. 8 : 9—13. ** It appears from the foregoing, that all men are bound not to injure themselves or their neighbor ; but to do good both to themselves and their neighbor. This is the law of nature and nature's God. And this, love to God and love to man will secure. " II. Having fixed the true principles of morality, let us now apply them to the subject before us. " Let us inquire whether intoxicating liquors can be used as a common bev.erage, without injury to ourselves and others 1 JESSE MERCER. 235 " 1. To ourselves. They are unnecessary. Un- natural excitements must do harm. They may infix [evilj habits ; create [improper] relishes, and produce diseases and death. ** 2. To others. The use of intoxicating beverages will influence society for evil. " The effect on the refoiTning inebriate must be de- structive. Intemperance will increase as any intoxi- cating drinks are indulged in. ** Motives to total abstinence. Love of ourselves — love of country — love of our family — love of our neighbor — and lastly, love to God and immortal hap- piness, should secure us against this besetting sin." To the above may be added a few short notes in reference to the objection which is sometimes urged against total abstinence societies, viz. that the scrip- tures allow the use of wine. " ] . The bible seems to show the proper use to be restricted to the faint and weary. See the case 2 Sam. 16 : 1, 2. and the case of Lemuel, Prov. 31 : 4 — 6, These are high examples. " 2. The disuse is commended — In the case of the Rechabites, Jer. 35 : 18, 19. In the case of Daniel, &c. ; Dan. 1 : 5. 8. 15. In the case of John the Bap- tist ; Luke 1 : 15. ** 3. Total abstinence is enjoined in the case of the priests in the sanctuary ; Lev. 10:8 — 11. Of the Nazarites ; Num. G : 1 — 1. " 4. It is considered a curse. See the case of Han- nah ; 1 Sam. 1 : 14—16. Micah 2 : 10, 11. " 5. The history of wine in the bible, is the history of sin and death." 236 MEMOIRS OF CHAPTER XL Mr. Mercer's pecuniary contributions to benevolent objects. Mr. Mercer was a man of unbounded liberality. *' I am pei-suaded," said he, in a letter to a christian brother, " the day will come when christians will have no other object in making money, but to give back again to the Giver, in some useful way." Few men have acted in more strict accordance with this senti- ment, than the author of it himself. His liberality was not under the control of sudden, variable, and undisciplined impulses, but was regulated by sound judgment and established principle. He felt that he belonged to the Lord, that all which he possessed was the Lord's, and how well he fulfilled the duties of his stewardship, his unwearied acts of benevolence for a long series of years bear ample testimony. In his ca- reer of liberality and well-doing, "he walked by faith." He exercised an habitual and strong reliance upon those promises which connect the blessing of heaven with the judicious and bountiful appropriation of our substance to the cause of Christ. "He used to relate," says a brother that knew him well, " many instances in his own history, of the Lord's willingness to remunerate those who gave for his cause. He had been one winter handins;^ out his five dollars to several benevolent- objects as they had been presented, till he thought prudence dictated that he should do no more at present. In a day or two the claims of the Jews were brought before the community at Powelton. Notwithstanding his fears about duty, he again threw :ti liis five dollars. That night he took from the Post JESSE MERCER. 237 Oflico a loiter containing twenty dollars, from an un- known person. Several instances of this kind were within his own knowledge." It might be proper here to state, that tlie circumstance just related occurred at a time when his means for giving were limited in comparison with what they were at a later period of his life. It was a matter of great giief to him that so many of his brethren witliheld their pecuniaiy aid from the cause of Christ, and that so many who pretended to give, measured out their bounty with such a parsimo- nious hand. He used occasionally to say, " we have a gi'eat many dollar vien amongst us. Present to them a subscription for the preacher, and they will put down a dollar ; hand them the missionary subscription, and they will put down a dollar ; ask them to aid the Sabbath school cause, and they will give a dollar. This seems to be their standard, w^hen many of them, if they had the disposition, might just as easily give their Jives, their toiSy and their fifties.^'' Brother Mercer was not a dollar man. He gave by hundreds and thousands, and tens of thousands. It would be very difficult, if not impossible, to make out a full and accurate list of his more public benefactions ; and still more so, to write the history of his private bounties. It is probable that many and large amounts were dis- tributed by his right hand, which his left was forbid- den to know, and which will not be knowTi to men, till the judgment shall reveal the secret charities fef the faithful. There is reason to believe that for a long series of years, most of the compensation which he received from the churches for his ministerial labors, was ap- propriated to charitable purposes ; the addition which 238 MEMOIRS OP he made to his estate, being derived mainly from the sale of books, and other sources. After the death of his last child (in 1814,) he seemed to have lost sight of every object for the accumulation of property, but the cause of the blessed Redeemer. Some of his oc- casional donations to benevolent objects will now be specified. The Columbian College shared largely in his boun- ty. On one occasion he gave $750 to that Institution ; at another, $1000. He aided the Mercer University by numerous and liberal contributions. To defray the current expenses at the outset, he gave say $150 ; for the land first and last, $550 ; for one of the buildings, $1000 ; for anoth- er, $400 ; For the library and apparatus, he also gave $400 ; and he gave his note for $5000, the interest to be appropriated to assist in the support of the faculty. To the Female Academy in Washington, under the control of the Presbyterian denomination, he gave $300 ; to the Baptist church in that place, he gave a house and lot for a parsonage. The Christian Index, press, type, and outstanding dues, he turned over to the Convention ; and he also gave to the Georgia Association all the unsold copies of his history of that body, amounting to one thousand or more, to be disposed of for any purpose that his brethren might deem proper. To the bible cause he was a liberal contributor ; Tract, and Sabbath school institutions found in him a ready and bountiful patron ; indeed, there was scarce- ly any object of benevolence placed before him, which commended itself to his judgment as proper and deserving, which was dismissed without his prayers and his alms. JESSE MERCER. 239 His noble coiitiibutions to sustain the missionary enterprise, are well known to the christian commu'- nity. Besides his regular annual contributions, which were generally large, he gave at one time to the Bap- tist Board of Foreign Missions, fifty shares of United States Bank stock, worth at the time, five tliousancl five hundred dollars. The enlightened views which he entertained when determinhig the specific appli- cation to be made of this generous donation, will ap- pear from a short extract from a letter to Mr. Bolles the corresponding secretary. *' I hasten to reply in reference to the endowment of a permanent fund. 1 am not of the number who believe the funds desig- nated for missions, must not be applied to any pur- pose but the operations in the fields, but to all the needful means for putting those operations into mo- tion. The support of those officers whose sei-\ices are needed all the time, must be provided for, as well as the laborers at the stations. I am therefore, as cheerful to consecrate my bequest to that fund, the interest of which is only to be used in paying the salaries of the officers of the Board, whose services are as above, as to any missionary purpose ; as the one is indispensable to the other, and will as well for- ward the general design." In relation to this liberal donation, the coiTespond- ing secretary, in the closing part of a lengthy commu- nication to Mr. Mercer, writes as follows, under date of Oct. 12, 183o. ** Since writing the above, the Board has held a special meeting, and acted on the subject of your munificent donation. They were deeply impressed with the Christian and fraternal spirit whic'li all your letters in relation to it indicate, 24(> MEMOIRS OF and the enlarged views taken by you in assigning it the direction you have. The following extracts from the minutes of the Board will show their sentiments and purpose. " * 1. The coiTesponding secretary read a letter from the Rev. Dr. Mercer, enclosing as a donation to the Board, fifty shares of the United States Bank stock. " ' 2. Also another letter from the same, specifying that the above named shares are to be a perpetual fund, the nett proceeds of which shall be applied to the support of the Secretary (or Secretaries,) and Treasurer of the convention. " * 3. Resolved, that the Board gratefully accept the above donation on the conditions specified by the donor. " * 4. Resolved, that the Cor. Secretary be request- ed to address a letter to the Rev. Jesse Mercer, D. D. President of this Board, expressing our high sense of his kindness and liberality, accompanied by a coj)y of the resolutions adopted in relation to it.' " To some of his brethren who were on terms of confidential intercourse with him, it was known many years before his death, that he intended to bequeath the principal portion of his estate to the cause of Christ. He had many relations, and some of them in limited circumstances, who would, no doubt, have been gratified to have received a liberal portion of his substance ; but the question with this conscientious and holy man was, " in what way can I dispose of that which God has given me, so that the greatest amount of good will ensue, and the Lord be most glorified ]" When his Will was opened, it was found JESSE MERCER. 241 that llio piiq-yose which had bcrn long and calmly resolved and firmly settled in his mind, was carried faithfully out. All, all that he had to dispose of, with some trifling exceptions, was bequeathed to the Sa- viour, who had bought liim with his blood. The fol- lowing exti-acts from his last Will and Testament, exhibit the details of his final, pious benefactions. " As it hath pleased God to take my beloved wife, Nancy Mercer, to himself, I now proceed to make such distribution of the property now left in my hands, as voluntarily and mutually agreed upon when we first came together in maniage. We having seen, as we thought, an evil rather than a benefit, in be- queathing property to relatives ; that even the expec- tation of receiving such gifts, often nourishes evil propensities, &c. concluded that when we should no longer need the use of our temporal effects, they should be disposed of to benevolent and literaiy In- stitutions, according as might seem to be most advisa- ble. I therefore, for aiding tind assisting in the ope- rations of the following benevolent societies and in- stitutions, give and devise, to wit ; ** 1. I give and devise to the Baptist Convention in the United States, for Foreign Missions, fifty shares of the capital stock in the bank of Augusta, Georgia. *' 2. I give and devise to the Baptist Publication Society, twenty-five shares of the capital stock in the bank of Augusta, Georgia. "3. I give and devise to the American and Foreign Bible Society, twenty-five shares of the capital stock in the bank of the state of Georsria. o ** 4. I give and devise to the American Tract So- ciety, twenty-five shares of the capital stock in the Bank of Augusta, Georgia. 242 MEMOIRS OF " 5. I give and devise to the American Baptist Home Mission Society, chiefly to aid in their opera- tions in Texas, twenty-five shares of the capital stock in the Bank of the state of Georgia. "6. I give and devise to the ti'ustees of the Colum- bian College in the Distiict of Columbia, twenty-two shares of the capital stock in the Bank of the state of Georgia : provided, however, that if the debts of the said Columbian College remain unpaid six months after my decease, and the Institution still embarrassed, then the twenty-two shares of bank stock to it devised, shall be given to the Baptist Convention for foreign missions, in addition to that bequest made in No. 1 of this will. " 7. I give and devise to the trustees of the Mercer University, Penfield, Green county, Georgia, one hundred and twenty-five shares of the capital stock in the Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company, for the support of the Faculty of said Institution, and such other purposes as the said Trustees may find necessary ; the dividends or annual income only, to be used. ***** " I make the further bequests : " I give and devise to the TiTistees of the Mercer University, at Penfield, Georgia, one hundred shares of the capital stock of the Bank of the state of Geor- gia, and the w*hole residuary of my estate, which may remain after the payment of all my just debts and necessary claims thereon, and what may hereafter be bequeathed. This amount is to constitute, wuth the sum of the professorship made by the Central Asso- ciation, a professorship of Sacred, Biblical Literature, or Theological Learning. The annual income of which only, to be used. JESSE MERCER. 243 # * * # * *' My library I wish also to be tiuTied oVer to the University, and all other books which may remain un- disposed of at the time of my decease, to be disposed of as the Trustees may direct." How pleasant to the pious heart to contemplate such pure and bright examples of enlarged and dis- interested philanthropy. They are rare indeed, but their moral influence upon the church cannot but be salutary and lasting. Each one is a portion of pre- cious leaven thrown into the great mass, which in due time will work out a sure and blessed result. Covet- ousness, which has so long been the sin and curse of the church, must sooner or later yield up its sway under the increasing light and power of gospel influ- ence. But the benevolent heait is pained in reflect- ing how long it will probably be, before this auspi- cious era will anive, and the universal church fully realize the sweetness and glory of the Saviour's words, " IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RE- CEIVE." Is there one amongst a hundred, nay, one amongst a thousand of the Baptists of America, who, as to his pecuniary sacrifices for the spread of the gospel, has a right to shai-e the honor of her that anointed the Saviour for his burying, of whom it was said, ^^ she hatli done icliat she couldy There are about sixty thousand Baptists in the state of Georgia. Were they all to be wanned with pentecostal fire and love ; were the grace vouchsafed to the Macedo- nian churches, which, in their deep poverty, abounded still in their charities, and to their power, and beyond their power, imparted of their substance to relieve their suffering brethren ; we should soon see an "244 MEMOIRS OP amount brought forward for benevolent purposes, equal, perhaps, to the present annual contributions of the entire denomination for Foreign and Domestic Missions. It would no longer be necessary to beg and implore, and argue, to gain their consent to give, but with joyful haste would each and all come for- ward, " praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift," and bear it speedily to the needy and perishing. There are half a million Baptists in the United States, who could give annually, from fifty cents to one thousand dollars for the dissemination of gospel light. Yet there are thousands, whom God has blessed with plenty, and who profess to have been purchased with the blood of Christ, and to be heirs of a heavenly crown, who have not a mite to give ; and of those that do something, how many are far- thing men, and dollar men, who would be the hap- pier and the richer for increasing their bounty a hun- dred fold. When our brethren shall all begin to feel that the highest and noblest object they are to have in view in making money, is " to give it hack again to the Giver, in some useful way,^'' when they shall all begin to associate the claims of Zion with the daily wants of their wives and children, and plow, and sow, and reap for the Lord and his cause, rather than for the gratification of their own pride and covetous- ness, and love of ease ; when each shall settle it in his mind to do what he can, certainly, systematically, and from established and deep-seated principle, then will abundant means flow in for all needful objects in our own, and every foreign land ; nay, it might soon be necessary to say to the churches, as was said to ancient Israel when contributing for the Ark and the Tabernacle, ^^ the j)(^oile bring mvrh more than JESSE MERCER. 245 enough for lite service of the work^ It is high time for us, as a people, to bemoan our sins, and repent in dust and ashes. AVhat poor returns have we made to the Lord for all his benefits ! The examples of Jud- son, and Cobb, and Withington, and Mercer, re- j)rove us ; especially are we reproved by the example of our blessed Saviour, who, " though he was richj yet for our sa/ics became jwory that we through his povcrtj] might he rich^^ CHAPTER Xir. L*iili;ippy divisions in ihe cliurches.-'^Mr. Mercer's opinions as to I the causes. — Mis Circular Letter published in llie Convenlian Minutes of 1331. — Usefulness at ministers' meetings. — Extracts from lii.s sermon on ministerial union. — Letters to Mr. B. arnl Mr. L. For twenty-five or thirty years previous to 1S29, the Baptist churches of Georgia had lived in great peace and harmony. Some occasional difficulties, it is true, had occurred, but they were generally con- fined to narrow bounds, to inconsiderable numbers, and were of comparatively short duration. The years 1827 and 1828 were signalized by a remarkable out- pouring of the spirit upon many of the churches, and by uncommonly large and rapid accessions to their numbers. This period of unexampled prosperity was followed by extraordinary efforts on the part of the adversary of the church, to sow the tares of strife and confu- sion. A great reaction in the zeal of many of Chrisl's 246 MEMOIRS OF ministers and people seems to have taken place j practical godliness was too generally neglected ; those continued and well directed means, which are so es- sential to pei-petuate and multiply the happy results of powerful revivals of religion, were greatly neg- lected ; and of course we need not be much surprised that the efforts of the enemy were so sadly and exten- sively successful. The writer would gladly avoid all reference to this unpleasant topic ; but a narrative that should entirely overlook it, would not be a full and faithful record of the life of Mr. JNIercer. Whilst, therefore, a sense of duty compels him to take a cur- sory view of some events which cannot be called to mind but with the deepest sorrow, he trusts that he will not be suspected of the most distant intention to afflict the feelings of a single christian brother, or to rend afresh those wounds which are now so rapidly healing under the gi'acious care of the great Head of the church. A dis^josition on the part of some of the associa- tions to interfere in what was considered an arbitrary and unscriptural manner with the affairs of the churches, was one of the most fruitful sources of the many distressing evils which so long afflicted the Bap- tists of Georgia. The encroachments of associations were met with prompt resistance on the part of many of the churches, mingled, oftentimes, no doubt, with a spirit not the most lovely and conciliating ; this, in some instances, was followed by attempts on the part of the associations to justify their previous course, and by further acts, which the churches deemed an unwaiTantable interference with their rights. The result of these proceedings was, that some of the churches withdrew from the associations, and some JESSE MERCER. 247 were withdrawn from ; whilst others were sadly di- vided amongst themselves, and rent into fragments. In many cases, associational coirespondence was laid aside, ministerial friendshi]) and intercourse were en- tirely suspended, and the communion and the fellow- ship of the churches broken. Bitter jealousies, evil surmisings, and uncharitable accusations were multi- plied ; whilst the occasional attempts which were made to bring about a more desirable state of things, seemed for a time, only to aggravate the disorders they were intended to cure. In the mean time, the anti-missionary spirit, which it is to be feared had been secretly operating for several years, burst forth in great violence, and by its rending, non-fellowthip policy, increased still further the work of stiife and confusion. It was one of the gi'eatest afflictions of Mr. Mercer's life, that some of the brethren with whom he had co-operated on terais of christian confi- dence and affection, became alienated from him, and from those noble, benevolent objects which he had so long been engaged in sustaining, and that some even went so far as to accuse him of a departure from the gospel faith. Under such peculiar circumstances, it seemed that important duties devolved upon the intelligent and influential members of the denomination; and espe- cially, upon the venerable father whose counsels had ever been so much valued in times of difficulty and trial. It was of gi'eat importance to ascertain and exhibit the causes of these multiplied afflictions, and also to search out and unfold the appropriate reme- dies ; to place in a clear and convincing light, befoie the churches and associations, the established princi- ples of the denomination, and wherein these princi- 248 MEiMolHS OF pies had been lost sight of; and not only to bring back the erring to coiTect principles of discipline, but, as far as possible, to assuage exasperated feeling, and restore divided and alienated brethren to each others confidence, fellowship, and affection. In the efforts which were made to accomplish these de- sirable ends, Mr. Mercer, as might have been expect- ed, took a conspicuous part. His faithful exertions at associational meetings, his private labors with breth- ren by epistolary correspondence and personal inter- course, his able circulars and essays, together with his numerous editorial communications in the Index, in exposition of the faith and practice of the denomi- nation, and his prompt, indefatigable labors at impor- tant ministerial convocations, all go to illustrate the ardent zeal with which he toiled for reconciliation and peace, as well as the great utility of the services which he rendered. The disunion of the churches had been charged by some to the objects and operations of the Baptist State Convention. In reference to this accusation, Mr. Mercer makes the following judicious remarks. " Before any acts can be considered ' fellowship-de- stroying,' they must be ascertained to be either im- moral in themselves, or evil in their tendency. But what immorality or evil tendency was there in the ob- jects of the General Association 1 For instance, what immorality can there be in an effort to unite the infla- ence and pious intelligence of Georgia Baptists, so as thereby to facilitate their union and co-operation ] Or what evil can there be in forming and encouraging plans for the revival of experimental and practical religion % Or can there be any sin in giving effect to the useful plans of the several Associations % Or can JESSE MERCER. 249 it be thought a bad thing to furnish the means for the education of young, jnous and indigent men, who are approved by their churches as called of God to the gospel ministry % Or can it be regarded by any as an immoral thing to promote pious and useful education in the Baptist denomination ] We cannot conclude that any man whose mind has been in any wise im- bued by that wisdom which is necessary to direct, will pretend there is any cause in any of these objects to break the union of the churches/' Some of Mr. Mercer's views as to the real causes of the unhappy divisions complained of may be learn- ed fiom one or two extracts from his editorial com- munications. ** All divisions are the fruit of contention and strife, originating in pride and ambition, the agitating of * unlearned questiojis,'' or departures from the tine faith and order. There is no evil atrainst which wo are more advised and cautioned in scripture, than this ; which shows, not only the evil of party strifes, but the unhappy bias under which we naturally tend to divide and break asunder the cords which bind us together in unity and peace ; and against which we ought tlicrefore to keep up a most strenuous guard. *' I consider the causes of these divisions, which have rent our churches and spoiled our beauty, as a denomination, aie to be found in the neglect of a godly discipline, and the consequent results. " Our Lord has laid down a few plain rules of gov- erament, and established a trilmnal in his church, at which all offences are to be tried and decided ; and from which there is no appeal. I believe it is adopted by all regular Bajitists as the doctrine of Christ, that \2 250 MEMOIRS OF his church is his kingdom on earth ; that he sits in judgment there ; and that when a gospel church is sitting m gospel order, for the transaction of discipli- nary business, t7ie?-e is not a higher court on earth ; and that such church is arraignable at no other, or foreign har : because her Judge is in her midst, an:l has commanded her implicit obedience. Now any departure from these rules, and any appeal from this authority and tribunal, will, can do no other than pro- duce amongst Baptists, strifes and divisions." Again he observes : " The Lord has laid down those rules by which a godly government can be kept up, and all the sepa- rations or distinctions placed between the righteous and the wicked, w^hich are necessary for all the pur- poses of godliness in tlie world. Now any rules set up, other than his, are stumbling blocks set up, by which brethren are made to fall. When churches or associations establish rules which the scriptures no- where require, and make the observance of them ne- cessary to fellowship ; then they cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine we have learned. We think our brethren have gotten into the habit of plac- ing too great stress on particular points of doctrine, and even on a particular mode of construing them, and are determined on forcing a uniformity of faith by associational union. — If so, they will cause divi- sions, and not union. Union between christians, is like the comnig together of two straight edges, it readily forms a joint ; or it is like the going up of the tem- ple, where no tool of ii'on was necessary to bring any thing to a joint. Force will never make a union JESSE MEllfER. 251 among christians ; hut force will drive tlicm out of joint. Where force is used, therefore, lo keep the unity of the faith, it ^vill always cause divisio?is and offences, contrary to the doctrine we have learned. When will our brethren learn the ^asy way of keep- ing the unity of the faith in th'C bond of peace V^ In the following extract, Mr. Mercer glances at an evil which had become unhappily prevalent amongst some of his ministering brethren, and which he re- proves in the spirit of christian kindness. " Among the ministers of Christ, there is a diversity of gifts, and of course, different strains of preachin cr. Some are set, like Paul, for the defence of the gos- pel, or the establishment of the saints in faith ; others^ iike James, to excite christian professors to every good word and work. In this strain of preachino^ there may be an appearance of heterodoxy in its ten- dency, which is not real. And still more so in the strain of the evangelists, who are sent to call sinners to repentance. There must then be great care taken in such cases, lest the oil and the wine he hurt. But should it be satisfactorily clear that the ten'f<7ce / when tJicre ivas no ^;ertce I Something must be jprac' tically and ejficiently done to remedy the evils among us. It is now generally conceded, that both miracle and the inspiration of the ti uth, ceased with the Apos- tles. If so, ministers now have no just dependence on inspiration for what they preach : only as they are instructed to understand the truth, from the inspired scriptures. This shows the importance of education, which seems to be the scrij^ture plan. Those sent out by the Apostles incurred blame, in that they taught what they were not commanded; proving . plainly enough, that they were authorized to preach nothing but what they were taught. — Thus Paul in- structed Timothy and Titus to preach and teach the things (not with which they were inspired, but those) they liad, heard and learned of him ; and to commit them to those men only ivho were ahle and faithful to teach others also, as they had been taught. And Christ lays down the same rule in Matt. 13 : 52. Ev- ery scrihe instructed (not inspired) into the hingdom of heaven, (or the gospel of Christ,) is like unto a house- holder, who hringeth out of his treasures things new and old. JKSSR MEUCEU. 2Gl " AikI surely, it is just as senseless to send out a man to preach the gospel whicli ho had never been taug^ht, with any expectation of his teaching it cor- rectly, as it would be to employ a man to teach all the branches of a refined education, who had never studied their elementary princiijles. — But it may be asked — does not God do more for the one than for the other ] Yes, blessed bo his name ! he does. — He gives to the man he calls into the ministry, his holy Spirit to impress and lead his mind to the work, to elevate and open his understanding in the study of the scriptures, to know and receive the truth, and aptness to impart it to others. And to secure J(iith- f Illness in the discharge of the duties of this highly responsible office, he gives, not only the spirit of fear y hut of power y and of love, and of a sound mind. But that man might as well be expected to know and ex- plain all the beauties of nature, whose eyes had never been opened on its volume, as for a minister to preach the tnith as it is in Jesus, who neither knows nor stu- dies the scriptures. Nor can he else preserve the ministry from hlame hy knowledge, or shoiv himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to he ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. " Besides, the results to be had by the gospel min- istry, are such as can never be attained, unless purity in knowledge, unity in design and purpose, and fidel- ity in practice be first found in the ministers. They must be taught all to speak the same things; they must become sensible to mutual obligations, and the importance of unity in effort. And when ministers, of every degree, shall be found in unity, all 2vorkers together with the Lord, all pulling at once, and the same way; none too selfish to receive help — too 262 MEMOIRS OF proud to be taught — too wise to leam — too indepen- dent to submit — nor too gi'eat to be least; but all studying to he frcparcd to do the work of the Lord — meditating diligently on tlie things taught in his word — and wJiolly giving themselves to them, that their profiting (not their greatness) muy appear to all ; then the standard of christian morality will be ele- vated, and the churches will all fall into re ovular ranks under its flying baimers ; and * onward'' shall be heard from every camp of our Israel, till they all come, in the unity of the faith, and of the hnoicledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure OP THE STATURE OF THE FULNESS OF ChRIST. "' Pastors and churches then, All with united ken, Wrap'd in seraphic flame, God and the Lamb to praise, Shall shout through endless day?. The long — the loud amen.' ^* Jesse Mercer, Moderator y In consideration of the important service rendered by Mr. Mercer to the cause of Christ, by his able ex- position from time to time of the principles of gospel discipline, a silver medal, containing appropriate in- scriptions, was presented him by some of his breth- ren in 1836. Subjoined, is an extract from the letter which accompanied the medal. " Talbotton, May 1, 183G. "BiiOTHER Mercer, " Inclosed, is a small medal which has been com- mitted to my care for you. It was prepared by the direction of brethren in the Central Association, and JESSE MERCER. 263 sent by tliem aa a token of their regard for you. Though tlie medal is marked as from *the C. A. &:c.,' it is truly from certain brethren of that body, as stated above, and not from the body itself. We hope you will accept it with this explanation, and receive it in the same spirit o{ friendship which prompted us to offer it. * * * # * " Yours truly, " J. H. Campbell." The discussions wliich were carried on for several years, through the columns of the Index, and other channels, and in which the subject of this memoir took a distingiiished part, tended greatly to settle the churches in correct views of many important princi- ples, and particularly those relating to church and as- sociational powers ; still it was evident that some- thing farther was necessary to remove deep-seated prejudices, soften down excited feelings, and bring the scattered ranks of the brethren into useful and affectionate co-operation. From time to time, sug- gestions were made in favor of a creneral ministei"s' meeting, in hope that by the united prayers and coun- sels of such an assembly, some effectual balm mi "-lit be found for Zion's bleeding wounds. For a while, these recommendations received but little attention ; ])ut at length, they were revived and urged in such a manner as to secure a respectable meeting of minis- ters at the village of Forsyth, in July, 1836. Mr. Mercer's feelinsrs were much enlisted in the meeting" ; he brought to it the ynimpaired strength of his great mind, the aid of his golden counsels, and the unction of a sweet and heavenly temper. If any good re- SC4 MEMOIRS O^ siiltetl from that meeting, (and that its influence Tias been sahatary and lasting, no reasonable doubt can be entertained,) much of it may justly be ascribed to the prudent zeal and matured wisdom of INIr, Mercer. Thousfh the attendance was not as full as could have been desired, and some little incidents occurred dur- ing the progress of the meeting, not altogether the most agreeable, yet on the whole, it was a memoi-a- ble occasion. There was a free and profitable inter- change of views upon many important subjects ; the mingled tears of penitence and christian affection were seen to flow ; mutual acknowledgments were made by many, and mutual forgiveness sought and extended ; and many fervent prayers ascended to the God of Israel, that the hurt of the daughter of his people might be healed. " It was a sight on which angels could not but look with peculiar delight, to see those, who, for years, liad been cold and distant, who had thought and spoken hard things against their brethren, and even cast out their names as evil, ac- knowledo-ing;- their errors with tears, and berrying: pardon. The readiness with which it was granted, melted all in the house. Every eye was wet, and every heart full. The feelings of that hour more than compensated for all the toils and difficulties of attending the meeting. All seemed to feel, ' I'm glad I come."* From that time, the work of conciliation has been steadily and successfully progTessing ; min- isters, and churches, and associations, have gradually flowed into pleasant correspondence and fellowship ; so that at the present, with the exception of our anti- missionary brethren, and a comparatively small num- * An extract from the minutes of the Forsvth mceiinff. JESSE MERCER. 2G5 her of cliurclies who lean to free-will sentiments, the Baptists of Cxeorgia present, in a highly encouraging degi'ee, the aspect of a harmonious and united people. Several other ministers' meetings were held from time to time, attended with consequences more oi less beneficial ; and in which the aid of Mr. Mercer was still conspicuous. He was much in favor of a per- manent organization, which should imbody, as far as possible, the Baptist ministers of the state, and bring them regularly together for the purpose of pious con- sultation and frateiTial intercourse. He was well con- vinced, and upon the most conclusive grounds, that the strife of the churches had originated mainly in the contentions of ministers, and that no better ex- pedient could be devised to draw together the scat- tered flock, than to secure unanimity of feeling, sen- timent and action amongst the shepherds of the flock. A State Ministers' Meeting was organized at Eaton- ton, in October, 1838; but it was found exceedingly difiicult to secure a general attendance at any of its subsequent sessions, and in two or three years, it lan- guished into non existence. In accordance with a previous appointment, Mr. Mercer preached a discourse at Eatonton, at the time above specified, on " the importance of union amongst ministers of the gospel ;" and at the particular re- quest of the meeting before whom it was delivered, it was afterwards published. The sermon is founded on John 17 : 11. "Holy Father, keep through thine own name, those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are one." It abounds in rich and original thouc:ht, and forcibly illustrates the nature of that union which should exist amonG:st ministers, and the great importance of maintaining it in full and 266 MEMOIRS OF constant vigor. A few of the concluding pages are here subjoined. " To conclude, — If the position taken at first, name- ly, that tninisters form a distinct class in the church of Chi'ist, with separate and j^cculiar obligations and duties, has been established ; and the nature and ex- tent of their unity have been correctly defined, as suggested in the text, then it must be obvious to the slightest review, that the manner of rearing up minis- ters, and of the general course of the ministry in our denomination, in Georgia at least, has been very de- fective. Theirs has been, for the most part, an iso- lated and individual course, thrown entirely on per- sonal, or at most, on ecclesiastical responsibility. This defected state of things among us, I will attempt to il- lustrate by the following similes. And '* 1. A king stations a garrison well officered and defended, in the midst of a revolted colony, in order to redeem and bring back by kindness, his rebellious subjects to loyal submission. He commits to these officers the terms of peace, and gives them authority to establish new garrisons, and commission other offi- cers, as the case might require. These officers pro- ceed on their mission, with due deference to the hon- or of their sovereign ; and many of the colonists re- turn to their allegiance ; and new gam sons are set- tled, and officers are commissioned. All things for a while, went on very well. In appointing to office, they were careful to select such men as gave full evi- dence of a sound reformation, and a just regard for the laws, government, and honor of the king ; and who possessed such abilities and dispositions as fitted them for the execution of the duties of their office. JESSE MERcnn, 2G7 and an li(>nonil)le association witli ihoinsolvos in sus- taining the government, peace and happiness of the reahn. But in process of time, the officers who were in those days, became careless in this department of their duty, and commissioned any who were present- ed to them by tlie garrisons, who, in like manner, had become indiflerent, witli Uttle regard to their qualifi- cations for office, or their attachments to the ffovern- ment and honor of the king. So the garrisons were satisfied, all was ?^c//, throwing the whole responsi- bility on the incumbents and the gamsons. — Thus the officers soon became vain, self^conceited and proud. Strife was engendered among themselves and the gar- risons ; and the garrisons soon enlisted for their re- spective partizans; and so the whole colony was filled with interaal broil and confusion. How pic- turesque of the present state of things among us ! " Have not many Presbyteries ordained men to the gospel ministry, purely on their own and the respon- sibility of the churches to which they belonged, with very little, if any inquiry into their qualifications for the sacred office ; or the obligations they felt for the honor of God, or the ministry into which they were being put ] And ** 2. I ask, if our ministiy do not present a likeness to a drove of pack-horses on an Indian trail, each go- ing in his own chosen jpath^ rather than a well har- nessed and orderly team, moving in concert? " Permit me here to state some of my own reflec- tions : I was much impressed at the Ministers' Meet- ing last summer, at Harmony, and still am, with one feature of Israel's backslidden state, as alleged by Isaiah 53 : 6. ' All we, like sheep, have gone astray ; we have turned crci-ijonc to his own way.'' If thought 268 MEMOIRS OF T, being turned every one to his own way, was descrip- tive of a revolted state in Israel, what must be now the state of the ministry in our denomination in Geor- gia % May it not be said with great propriety, that we have turned every one to his ov:n way ? Have we not lost all union of effort % Our brethren cannot be prevailed on to come together for ministerial consul- tation and co-operation, even in these days of Zion's afflictions. And why 1 even because they are turned, every one to his own icay ! — Each one has his own ap- pointments to fill, and his church-meetings must be attended ; and so he camiot go to a ministers' meet- ing. But let me ask each brother, in brotherly kind- ness, and let him answer in the spirit of candor : if his secular business pressed him to go to market, would he not leave all and go % And if he had rela- tives at a distance, or in another state, and he felt a strong inclination to visit them, would he not leave all and go ] And even if he took it into his head to go a land hunting, (perhaps on speculation,) would not some of you leave all and go ] But you cannot be persuaded to leave all, and attend a Ministers' Meet- ing, for mutual consultation, with a view to united, concentrated and vigorous effort to stop discord, and produce peace in the churches. " I am fully impressed with the sentiment, that all the strife and confusion which now abound among our ministers and churches, may be traced to the want of a well organized ministerial union. Or, in other words, if all the ministers of our order in the state, had, at once, formed a Ministers' Meeting, with a view to maintain the unity of the faith in the churches ; and had co-operated in the work of the ministry, all those distracting controversies, which have broken the JESbE MEKCEft. 26^ j)eace and spoiled the beauty of our churches, would have been prevented, and the churches conthiued in peace and love. " Let me then beseech you, brethren, now though very late, to rally around the standard of" your Lord and Master. There may be yet a redeeming spirit in the divine ordcr^ if speedily adopted, by which the plague may be stayed, and many be recovered fron> its pernicious and deadly influence. What Can be better suited, instrumentally, to arrest and redress the evils which are now rending the churches, than the combined union and co-operation of all the ministers in the state % Let all the ministers who are of one heart and one soul, not only in the great scheme of sal- vation by grace alone, but in the points of practice now in question, come together with one consent, and let their light shine in unison ; let them bring their tmited efforts to bear on the cause, and by every con- sideration which the laws of truth and brotherly kind- ness can urge, endeavor to persuade and convince, and bring back their brethren to reconciliation, peace, and love : and surely it may be hoped in the Lord, that many will pause and consider, and return to good order, and seek that fellowship again, which they had so wantonly thrown away. " I am aware of the difficulties which lie in the way of bringing about this practical union and co-opera- lion of the Ministers in the Churches, because our young ministers have mainly had the rearing of them- selves in the Churches, as circumstances provided ; (for really the churches have taken but little care upon themselves about it) and they have been so long accustomed to direct their own course, according to their own counsel, that it will be hard to bring thera 270 MEMOIRS OF to submit to the discipline of a Ministerial Union, arid to act only in harmony with the body of Ministers. For many ministers, especially young ones, seem to have a peculiar fondness for a solitary course. They are seldom seen at a General Meeting; or, where they will be brought in contact with older Ministers. I suppose they Jeel best and 7nost free v/hen they are alone, or only in company with those whom they consider their inferiors ; but surely, it is contrary to the plan of our Lord, as well as to the dictates of wisdom and common sense, and well calculated to gender strife and create jealousies and parties, and so to bring up divisions among Ministers and Churches. *' There is another evil to overcome. It is this : — The Churches love t-o have it so. On the one hand, it frees them from much labor and care, in bringing forward their licentiates into the ministry ; and on the other, it gives them the privilege, nay, the right to control the labors of their ministers, which they will be reluctant to abridge in the least, even so as to give them the opportunity to attend a Ministers' Meeting. *Tis true. Ministers are members in the churches, and amenable to their authority, so far as discipline and good order is concerned ; but they should think this again, that Ministers were not given merely for their internal benefit; hut, for the worh of the Ministnj, and the up-building of the ichole body of Christ, and that any use they may make of them which will de- tract from this is wrong, and derogatory to the claims of their Lord. Although it may seem comfortable to retain ministers at home, when there seems to be so much need of them, yet if hindering them from at- tending Ministers' Meetings, should be promotive of JESSE MERCER. 271 discoid cimoiic: Ministers and Churches, will not the evil be justly chargeable on the hindering causes'? " Will not Ministers and Churches wake up to the important work which lies on them — the work of the Ministry ? And what is it ] But the whole work which God has deteraiined should be instrumentally done, to the ends of the icorld — and which cannot be accomplished, " 'Till all the ransom'd Ciiurch of God, Be sav'd, to sin no more' ** In the accomplishment of this sacred design, the Father and the Son are at work ; and all ministers, as laborers together with them, are called upon to be up and doing the work of the day, because the night Cometh wherein no man can work. Let us then, Brethren, arise ; be united in one ; and be ready for every good word and work. And may the Lord our God be wdth us, and bless us, who is our only joy and strength ; and to his name be all the glory, for ever and ever. Amen." The three following letters were addressed to a worthy ministering brother, whose mind had been much pei*plexed upon certain doctrinal points, and who had been seriously involved in some of the diffi- culties which had so long disturbed the peace of the churches. Washington, Sept. 26, 183G. " Dear Brother B. " I have had it in mind to write you a few lines ever since we parted at F, I was afflicted at that meeting by the spirit manifested by some brethren 2lf2 MEMOIRS OF towards those of the N. Association ; and pleased at the more Christian temper of those brethren. I liope they will not be disposed not to attend the next by reason of such treatment Though you differ from most of the brethren in regard to faith in some parti- cular points, I am not prepared to believe you so far gone as to be irreclaimable. " As well as I recollect, the article on Election, iii the system adopted by your Association, holds elec- tion through sanctification of the Spirit^ &c. This I think is an eiTor. If you will examine 2 Thes. 2 : 13. and 1 Peter 1 : 2. you will find that Election is unto salvation and obedience, which salvation and obedience are through sanctification of the Spirit, &:c. But what is worse, the Association sermon, j^ublished by re- quest, is an effort to set aside j^crsonal election. Now if election is not of persons, but a character, then I cannot see how any one could be saved by it ; be- cause God could not choose an unholy character, and no sinner could get into [a holy] one, and therefore could not be saved by it. By examination, you will see election (and its kindred doctrine, predestination) always holds an end in view. That end is to he holy — 'to he conformed to the image of Christ — to he saved — ohcdicnce — adoption^ &c. Now without contradic- tion the act must be before the end proposed by that act ; or the design must follow the purpose ; so that election must be anterior to our conversion to God. And you can but see that the end or design of an act, cannot be the condition of that act. But I need not argue the case with you. I only wish you to consider the Scripture in its ov/n light, and strive to bring your mind to a willingmess to receive the doctrine taus^ht therein without the rule of your own reason. JES«E MEIICEK, 273 ** Surely the truth of the Scripture, as it is in JesuSy is plain enough to enable those who are under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, so far to agree, as that they may walk together in holy fellow- ship. It is always at least worth the effort to attain. And now it seems that those more antinoinian are determined to break off on the score of missions, &c. It is then the more imj)ortant that those united in the benevolent operations should strive, and strive hard, to be of one mind in all other essential tmth, that they may labor together in the great cause of God and Christ, and human happiness. " I am informed that many churches have determin- ed, and declared non-fellowship with all benevolent societies ; that Br. M. has taken sides, and aided if not induced the O. Association to so declare. This measure will divide and tear to pieces their own ranks ! I hoj^e this very thing will be the means of opening the eyes of many who have heretofore been blinded by the cry of * faith ! faith !' # # * * * "Now brother, do lay aside every stumbling block, and come up to the meeting at C. ; influence as many of your brethren in the ministry to come as you can, and come in hope of better treatment ; or if you should meet worse, to bear it as good soldiers of .Tesus Christ. Come any how. *' I have written to Br. S. and entreated him to come. I long after you all in the Gospel. " I am, dear brother, 'Yours in Christ, " Jesse Mercer." 13 274 MEMOIRS OF " Washington, June 28, 1838. "Dear Brother B. " Your very kind and affectionate letter of 18th inst. was received and read a day or two since, with great interest. This was because, ^rsf, I love you, and secondly, because I find you in perplexity, and know not what to do. And now, my dear brother, what shall I say to you 1 You are not satisfied with the U. Association ; well, I fear they are gone too far in opposition to the truth, as well as become negligent and careless as to measures necessary to a return of peace. The brethren who remain, are different from what they were, but I fear they (many of them) are not over half converted. Your best resort is to fall in with the C. brethren, as I judge. But there, a difficulty at once meets you. You would have to come up square-toed to all their articles of faith * with- out note or comment.' You say, though you cannot go the full length of their faith, yet you feel no dis- position to opjiose, and their preaching is as yovr own. Perhaps you would (should you try it) not find so much difficulty as you fear. For my own part, I never was of the opinion, that a single point or article of faith should be made a test of fellowship. Opiwsi- tion to any point would break fellowship ; but so long as a good brother would admit, though he could not understand a doctrine in a particular way, I should be in favor of holding him in fellowship. " You seem to think there is a discrepance between the holding and the preaching of the Central breth- ren. There may be in some. But you [know that] many hold jpredest'ination^ sovereign and eternal, con- sistent with man's free agency, and entire accounta- JESSE MEIICEII. 275 bility. There is a state of things, as they lie before God, which is as determinate and as unchangeable as God himself; and there is another state of things, which lie in the department of the divine administra- tion, and in which the dispensation of the Gospel proceeds, and in which men are treated as rational and intelligent beings. Now, though we may not be able to decipher and explain the line which sej^arates these two states of things, we may find evidence sufficient of their existence, and should yield to the conviction of their truth. # * * * # *' Dear Brother, I have written you a few crude thoughts. I fear they will do you no good ; but I pray to God he will direct you in the true and the right way. Although I think you would do ivell^ perhaps best, to unite with the Central brethren, yet do all you do in the fear of God, which is the begin- ning of wisdom. If I can be of any use to you, it will afford me pleasure at all times to do you service. ** I am yours in Christ, " Jesse Mercer." *' IVushingion, Nov. 14, 1S38. " My Dear Brother and longed for, '* I received your very interesting letter of 29th ult. and have let it lie by, thinking that I should write. Tmly I desire peace and righteousness to abound amongst all God's people ; but I find it much easier to sunder, and keep at a distance, than to come together when once parted. Asperities and bitter- ness arise, and an indifference even to be united ; or alienation of even Christian affections springs up and grows stubborn. Big /, and little yoii, or selfishness. 276 MEMOIRS OF is hard to be subdued. I fear that some of the ' brethren will never come to that humility, which is needful to a union among all the parties. Also some of those of the U. A. are in the same case of stiffness. But all must he Ivmnbled. I am happy to find you are so moved on this subject, and rejoice in the course you have taken. I highly approve of the efforts made and making to reconcile the churches in the vicinity of each other. This is the right way to bring about a more general union. «a- ■4>> -a* -M' -v- ^ "TT ^s* "Ti* "K* " I think I am as much disposed to keep off the rock of fatality as you, or any one else. I believe in tiie doctrine of predestination and election, and the certain and sure performance of all God's purposes ; and yet I believe they are to be effected strictly in accordance with the responsibilities and free choice of men, so far as they are concerned. God does not operate on men as matter^ but as rational creatures ; and ills influences are designed to bring them to act according to the abilities which he gave them, freely. But I do not believe them less sure. As to the Missionary Baptists uniting upon the principle of mutual forbearance, or * think and let think,' I should have no objection if the limit could be fixed so as that the liberty would not tend to licentiousness, and presently [mischief] break out worse than ever. We never can agree, (I speak for myself,) to a latitude of liberality, which would allow of opposition to those doctrines. ^ ^ ^ ^ " And what shall I more say % I know not what. May the Lord, the Prince of peace direct all our hearts into the love of God, and a patient waiting for his presence amongst us. JESSE MERCER. §77 " Our State Ministers' Meeting is to commence on Thursday of next week, to which I intend to go, if permitted. Shall I see you there ? I think it would tend to incline the ministers favorably towards you, and might give some new impulse. Wishing you much grace and blessing, I am, dear Brother, ** Yours, in Christ our Lord and Saviour, "Jesse Mercer." The following letter was addressed to a highly esteemed and valuable brother in the ministry, (now no more,) who, in consequence of what he deemed some improper proceedings of the Association with which he was connected, had withdrawn himself in a great measure from the society and councils of his brethren. It is to be hoped that it will be read with profit by every individual, who, under similar cir- cumstances, might be tempted to pursue the same injudicious course. . . " Washington, Dec. 8, 1838. *' Mr DEAR Brother L. " I have in * the house of my pilgiimage' constant proof of my want of finnness ; for I find I am much better to resolve, than to fulfil my purposes when made. When I was at your house, (if I recollect rightly,) I told you I had often felt like harnessing up and coming right away to see you. When I said so, I said truly ; but how have I fulfilled ? For a long time now I have often thought I would write, but still I have neglected it, I have been no indifferent obsen'er of things as they have transpired, in refer- enco to you. I assure you, brother, many an anxious thought — many an inquiry has gone up towards your 278 MEMOIRS OF dwelling to ascertain how you were doing, and what were the most probable future prospects in reference to you; for 'My brother, I am much distressed for thee ; For very pleasant hast thou been to me.' I have been looking for your return from your volun- tary exilement, and that the ancient order of things would be restored amongst us again; but again I fear I shall be deceived ! O, that I may not be disap- pointed in this hope ! I cannot think of you as dead, but still I have thought, as somewhat applicable to you, on what was said of Enoch, * he was not.' Me- thinks he had been a constant associate with the few pious cotemporaries of his day, (rendered probably the more precious by being feiv,) and labored so assi- duously in all the ways of piety and usefulness, known to them for the honor of God and mutual edification ; and the warning the wicked, (see Paul and Jude,) till he obtained among them ' this testi- mony that he pleased God ;' but it came to pass that * he icas not:'' that is (I presume) he did not appear in their company as heretofore. This was a conspi- cuous — a notable * icas not^ His few pious brethren must have been gi'ieved always when they met, to find that Bro. Enoch was not in their midst — his seat was always empty. Alas ! ' he was not.' This must have been a great grief to them, but how much greater must it have been if the cause had been any thing else but * God took him^ " From the late revival in which you shared so largely, I hoped to see your youth reneu'cd, and to find you again in company ; but alas ! still, he is not. In all our meetings for the promotion of the public good, oi' the general weal of the church or the world, it may be said of our dear brother L, 7?e is not. My JESSE MERCER. 279 brother, can you be persuaded to come up to the help of your brethren — of God against the mighty, and the many who oppose all that is good, and virtuous, and true, and of good report. ** I had also hoped that the fire of the revival at Antioch would have burned up all the old leaven, which had been working strife and division in it for years past, but in this too I fear I am disappointed. Opposition, I hear, is still working and warring in it. Does it not strike you, brother L. that it is high time * that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wantiufj — and strenfrthen the thing's that remain V Permit me, my brother, to say that I fear, (as Whit- field said of himself to Wesley,) that you have been sinfully silent too long ! You have been hoping that things would get better, and have remained neutral — but your influence has not been neutral. It has been at work, and probably on the wrong side. When the temperance societies first began' to form among us, I did not unite — not from opposition ; but I was not quite ready to put in. But I found my influence operated to encourage intemperance ! I therefore threw myself into the society to turn my influence (let it be what it might) into a useful channel. It is proper to watch lest while we essay to do good, ' our good may be evil spoken of,' and all our eflbrts to be useful be hindered or prove abortive. Surely the state of our churches in these days, calls for energetic effort to settle them again in peace. To sit still and sing a requiem to ourselves will not do. We must take sides, not to fight ; for direct opposition will be likely to make bad worse ! but to enlist a host that by silent influence may undermine the strong-hold of their opposition ! ! Some of us have thought a State 280 MEMOIRS OF Ministers' meeting might operate such an influence, as well as cultivate unity of sentiment and feeling in the ministry throughout the State ; but if we were right in this conclusion, we were baffled in our de- sign by the non-attendance of the brethren. The brethren who engaged last year in the constitution at Eatonton, did not one half attend at Macon the last month, and few others. Does it not commend itself to your mind that you could do greater good by uniting with your brethren, and he with them like a company of horses in Pharaoh^s chariot ? I have a mind, as no general meeting falls on the fifth Sunday in March, to have a big meeting here. Will you come 1 Where is brother N. 1 Married — and therefore cannot come ! However, I wish him and his second-self all possible happiness in their hy- meneal union ; and that his helpmeet may be a helper to him in his ministry which he has received of the Lord. I had hoped from the movements I had heard of concerning^ brother G. L., that he miffht be induced to think again and turn to his forsaken brethren. It is really a puzzle to me to imagine how a thinking Christian can take the course of the rending brethren and continue ! " I must close by saying, the time is short — it is high time to awake out of sleep. What remains to you and me to be done, must be soon done, or ga undone for ever. May the Lord direct into the right way, and give strength to walk therein for liis name's sake, is the prayer of one who is most ** Respectfully, yours, '•* In the bonds of the Gospel, ** vTeSSE MERCETtJ" JESSE MERCER. 281 CHAPTER XIII. Mr. Mercor as a writor. — Speaking the truth in love — His Ten L^tttTs on the AloiiLMiieiit. — Extracts. — Sermon on the Excel- lency of the Knowiedire of Christ, and extracts from the same. — Essay on Lord's Supper — History of Georgia Assofiation. — Review of a certain Report. — Essay on Forgiveness ol Sins. — Extracts from liis Editorial pieces. Mr. Mercer was less distirigfuished as a writer than a preacher. He very seldom used his pen until 1-'^ had arrived at that period of life when his intellectual habits had become fixed, and it could hardly be sup- posed that he would feel much inclined to expend labor in rounding his periods, and decorating his es- says with rhetorical beauties. He aimed at nothing more than a plain, concise, and scriptural exposition of his views. In this he was generally successful ; and indeed sometimes the natural force of his mind, and the strong flow of thought Vv'ould cany him be- yond his simple aim, and impart uncommon vigor to his style, and now and then bear him into a strain of true sublimity. Few %\Titers had equal power of con- densing a logical discussion, and of compassing weighty and useful instruction in few words. In this respect his composition bore a striking resemblance to his ex- temporaneous effusions, and was one of the natural effects, as well as a striking evidence of his intellect- ual strength. In his lengthy and studied productions, he has con- stant recourse to the word of God, illustrating his po- sitions by copious and pertinent selections from this great storehouse of divine wisdom. If his frequent 1 Q* S82 MEMOIRS OF and lengthy quotations from the scriptures, detract from tlie value and interest of his productions in the view of some, others will esteem them more on this account, and especially when there is discovered in the application of scripture (as will be the case witlf attentive readers) not a tame imitation of commen- taries and theological compends, but the work of a thoughtful, independent, and original expositor of the word of God. In his controversial writings he would sometimes use expressions which might seem to savor somewhat of unkindness and asperity, and convey to some minds an erroneous impression of the real state of his feel- ings. In opposing what he conceived to be eiTor, he was firm, independent and faithful ; and in his zeal for the truth he did not weigh every expression with that care which would have been desirable ; but no one could be more free from bitter and malignant feeling. His heart was deeply imbued with the spirit of love, forbearance and Christian kindness. In referrinor to o some strictures on two of his brethren which had given offence, he remarked in a letter to a Christian brother, •' If I might judge for myself I never wrote any stric- tures on any brethren with more kind feelings towards them. I was endeavorino: to refute what I conceived to be mischievous errors, and not in personal abuse. It has been one of the first desires of my heart to be in a Christian sense, a good man, but to breathe a bitterness of temper abhorrent from the Gospel, is, so abhorrent from my best wishes, that I am exceedingly pained to be thought to have it." In the same com- munication, referring to his connexion with the Chris- tian Index as Editor, he observes; " The place of an Editor is very responsible and difficult. He must JESSE MERCER. 283 judge of the communications sent from his patrons for publication, and give his mind and be faithful as one that must give account, and yet be kind, courteous, and brotherly towards all. O that I may ever speak the truth in love " Si'EAKLXG THE TRUTH IN LOVE ! Tliis is indeed a blessed maxim for the regulation of all the communi- CBtions of Christ's professed followers, whether they proceed from the pen, or from the lips. Were the spirit of this precept to insinuate itself into all their religious discussions, what a multitude of hurtful evils would be turned away from the cause of Christ. Bitterness brings no aid to the truth, and unkind words will not reclaim an en-ins: brother. The heart should ever be full of Christian tenderness, and the lips should speak with prudence and moderation. In defending truth and opposing error, a man should be candid, faithful and fearless ; but he is still to remember that candor should be blended with courtesy, faithfulness with love, and boldness with a meek and humble spirit. It may be said that in extreme cases severity may be needful ; but even then it should r.-ither be the seve- rity of truth and argument, of sound speech that can- not be condemned, than of keen and irritating w^ords. The truth of these reflections must be obvious to all ; and yet they are uttered at this time under the full persuasion that they are not as deeply felt by our brethren as they should be. Can it be denied that our denominational difficulties have been greatly ag- gravated by a want of proper conformity to these sen- timents % Even where there has existed the kindest feelings and the best intentions, harsh and unguarded expressions have fallen from the pen or the Hjds, which have given origin to new resentments and new com- 284 MEMOIRS OF plaints ; or torn open some old wound that was just ready to heal. Our editorial brethren are often too caustic and too peevish ; speaking sometimes as Jesus would not speak, and as Paul would say was not ** lovely and of good report." If in some of these re- spects it may be said that our beloved Mercer was not altogether faultless, it certainly becomes all others less wise and holy, to watch with diligence and pray without ceasing that they enter not into the same temptation. Mr. Mercer's wi'itings consist principally of Circular Letters, Essays on various subjects; a few occasional sermons and controversial pieces which appeared from time to time in pamphlet form, or in the columns of periodicals ; with his various editorial effusions, and a few manuscript sermons which have never been published. In the preceding pages several of his productions have been briefly noticed, and numerous extracts from them presented to the reader, but there are others which claim a few passing remarks, and from which such further exti*acts will be made as may give a more ample view of his various religious opinions. It is not to be supposed that all will concur w4th Mr. Mercer in every theological opinion which he has expressed. He has left a record of his sentiments on a variety of subjects, some of them of acknowledged difficulty, and in regard to which, sentiments more or less dissimilar have been entertained by the wisest and best of men. It is presumed however, that the anxious inquirer after truth will consult the opinions of Mr. Mercer with interest and respectful attention, happy to find any of his own views confirmed by the conclusions of one so honest, original and profound ; JESSE MERCEft. 2S6 anu scarcely willing to atlhere to an important opiniofi that might conflict with the sentiments of one so uni- foiTnly coiTect, without carefully reviewing the ground upon which it rests. About the close of 1829, Mr. Cyrus White publish- ed a pamphlet on the atonement which contained sentiments that were deemed unscriptural, and of a decidedly arminian tendency. As Mr. White had previously been employed as one of the missionaries of the Convention, the publication of his piece was considered by some of the opposers of that body as evidence in favor of their free and bold assertions, that the supporters of the benevolent plans of the day, were unsound in the faith. For the purpose of wresting this argument from their hands, as well as discouraffinof the circulation of sentiments which he considered unscriptural, Mr. Mercer wrote and pub- lished, in 1830, his Ten Letters on the Atonement. Every candid reader will be ready to admit that this is the production of no ordinary mind ; and that its author has presented many weighty and important views upon a subject of momentous interest, and in some of its aspects of gi'eat difficulty. Mr. Mercer's general views of the atonement may be learned from the following extracts from his second Letter : «' In my last, I promised you some examination of your views on atonement. And first, you identify atonement with propitiation. This, though common among commentators, is in my mind, to confound cause and effect. Propitiation is what Christ is, as the Saviour of sinners — atonement is what he has made by the offering of himself to God for us. Propitiation 286 MEMOIRS OF is the great plan of mercy itself — atonement is that reconciliation and peace, which he has obtained by his cross. Propitiation is the victim for sacrifice — atonement is the acceptance of that victim in the place of the transgressor. Propitiation is the redemption price — atonement is the acceptance of that price for the deliverance of the lawful captives. " These words have a strong and indissoluble con- nexion in scripture, and constitute the great scheme of mercy, as it is both by and through our Lord Jesus Christ ; and may sometimes be synonymously used, nevertheless they are strikingly different in significa- tion. The original import of these words, as they oc- cur in the New Testament, is distinct — though it is said, that in the Hebrew, they are both derived from words signifying to cover, as a lid, like the mercy-seat did the law in the ark of the testimony. Paul in Rom. 3 : 25. uses the very word for mercy-seat. * Whom God hath set forth to he (hilasterion) the propitiatory ' which is to be approached * through faith in his blood.' Thus Christ is the antitype of that gTand symbolical system of divine communion made in the institution of the mercy-seat. John uses in his 1 Epis. 2 : 2. and in 4 : 10. a kindred word (hilasmos) which is the vic- tim, or sin-ofiering itself. But atonement is made by the offering of that victim acceptably to God. Thus in Rom. 5 & 11 chaps, (where the word alone occurs in the New Testament) (katallagen) the word usually ren- dered reconciliation, is used, and is expressive of what we receive by Christ through faith, and is evidently the effect of his propitiatory sacrifice. Your manner of treating it therefore, as a provision of life and par- don offered to sinners in the gospel, is not just ; for it is that very life and pardon obtained by the blood of the cross." JESSE MERCER. 2S7 After referring to tlie sacrifices of the old dispensa- tion, the author adds : ** I know of not an instance, where the sin-offering is called the atonement ; but always it is said to be made by the offering of it unto the Lord. Now then as atonement is received from the Lord Jesus Christ, it must be something which he ha8> as mediator, to be- stow ; and may be understood under the following different terms. 1. It is called reconciliation. Dan. 9 : 24. * To make reconciliation for iniquity.' Heb. 2 : 17. * Christ an High Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.' 2. It is called peace. Col. 1 : 20. * And having made 'peace by the blood of his cross.' 3. It is called salva- tion. Heb. 5:9.* And being made perfect (through sufferings) he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.' Lastly. It is called redemjition. Rom. 3 : 24. ' Being justified freely by his gi'ace, through the redemption that is in Christ Je- sus.' Heb. 9 : 12. * Christ by his own blood having once entered into the holy place, obtained eternal re- demption for us.' " After having laid down the scripture account of what he conceives atonement to be, Mr. M. then pro- ceeds to examine its relations, •* 1. It relates to God. If Christ was set forth a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare the righteousness of God in the remission of sins (Rom. 3 : 25.) and if it became him, in bringing many sons to GLORY, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings, (Heb. 2: 10.) without controversy 288 MEMOIRS OF the atonement was necessary, in some way, that God Tiiiglithe just and justify the. ungodly, (Rom. 4:5.) I do not like very well your idea that ' the atonement must be tlicd, in its nature, which will render God 'propitious^ Strictly speaking, God was never unpro- pitious. But sin w^as not only an offence to him, but had thrown obstructions in the way of his mercy. The atonement, therefore, must be that in its nature which will honor him in the view of all rational intelligences, in the vouchsafement of pardon and acceptance. This is fully established in the following texts. * Christ hath loved us and given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet smelling savor.' (Eph. 5:2.) * Who gave himself [to God) for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity.' (Titus 2 : 14.) * How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, — purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God.' (Heb. 9 : 14.) * Christ is also said to be High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for sins.' (Heb. 2 : 17.) These texts are in perfect accordance with the whole ritual sersdce, where it will be seen, that all the offerings for sins were made to God to make reconciliation, or atonement for the transgressors. Thus says Fuller, * Atonement has respect to justice, and justice to law, or the revealed will of a sovereign, which has been violated ; and its very design is to repair its honor.' (See vol. 4. p. 266.) Thus Christ is the end of the law, 07' the fuljihnent of it, ^ot righteousness, or the atonement, to every one that believeth. " 2. It relates to God, in reference to the sins of those who are atoned for. As the scriptures connect the sins and the persons of those for whom atonement JESSE MERCER. 289 is made, I choose to put the two together, where the scriptures have ph.cetl them. • And which will be seen clearly in the following texts. * Surely he hath borne our griefs, and earned our sorrows. He was wounded for 02ir transgressions, he was bruised for our iniqui- ties ; The chastisement of our j^cace was upon him, and with his stri/?es we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray — we have turned every one to his own way ; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. When thou shalt make his soul an offering^br sin he shall see his seed — He shall see the tj-avail of his soul and be satisfied : For he shall hear their iniquities. Because he hath poured out his soul unto death : and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he Lore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.^ (Isa. 53d chap.) Seventy weeks are determined upon thy j^f^pT-C to finish the transgression, end to make an end of sins. (Dan. 9 : 24.) Christ was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification. (Rom. 4 : 25.) And I delivered unto you, that which I received, how that Christ (iieafor our sins, according to the scriptures. (1 Cor. 15 : 3.) Be- cause Christ also suffered for us : Who his own self hare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we be- ing dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; By whose stripes ye were healed. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. (1 Peter 2 : 21, 24. 3 : 18.)' Thus the atonement is complete. It being a full satis- faction to the claims of divine justice, through the violated law, by the offence or demerit of sins. This complete satisfaction of the mediation of Christ is ex- pressed by — Christ's being the end of the law — ful- filling the law — magnifying and making honorable tht 290 - MEMOIRS OF law. And the entire and full extent of Christ's sacrifice for the redemption of transgressions made under the law, being expressed by making reconciliation for iniquity, an end of sin, finishing transgression and purging OUR sins hy the cross. The fulness of the atonement is not to be measured by the number saved ; but by its competency to save one sinner. Since it is not to be imparted by parts, but as a whole. If it is capable amply to save one sinner that believeth in Jesus, then it is of the same capacity to save to the uttermost all that come unto G-od by him. So that to talk of a limited atonement, is to talk of an atonement short of the requisitions of Justice, and which leaves sin partially atoned for ! and which of course can save no one — or it is to suppose it is administered by drops and that the merits of Christ can be exhausted ; which I presume none will admit." In regard to the atonement's being considered in the liffht of a commercial transaction, Mr. Mercer makes the following observations in his third letter. " I do not mean to contend for the atonement, as a commercial transaction : but I mean to oppose the idea of a vague atonement. I must contend with Fuller that thousfh we cannot view the orreat work of redemption as a commercial transaction betwixt a debtor and his creditor : yet the satisfaction of justice, in all cases, requires to be equal to what the nature of the offence is in reality — and to answer t^e same end as if the guilty party had actually suf- fered. And for Christ, as our substitute, to have suffered less for us than we should if the law had taken its course, would be no atonement at all, and JESSE MERCER. 291 leave us in our sins. I do not admire the distinction ; nor do I believe any thing is really gained by it. It seems however, better calculated to fritter down the sufferings of Christ within the grasp of our compre- hension — to show they were not, in reality, what was required for sins, and to make them a shade, or re- presentation of what justice required, rather than to present them in their full view of infinite value. It ought, too, to be recollected tohat is hnpossihle luitli men is possible with God. We poor limited creatures cannot tell what calculations infinite wisdom can make, nor what doings Almighty power can effect. The Scriptures do employ terms taken from commer- cial transactions to teach us our oblio^ations on the one hand, and the greatness of salvation on the other. Our sins are figuratively called debts — the blood of Christ is our redemption price, and redemption itself is a commercial transaction. I see no reason, there- fore, why we should depart from it, nor any thing in it that renders Atonement impossible." Respecting the question whether the sinner has a right to claim salvation, as a matter of justice, on the score of the full atonement made by the Lord Jesus Christ, the author in the same letter thus expresses himself: '* A. is cast into prison to suffer the just demerit of his crime. B. his Father, King and Judge pities him, and would release him, but the nature of the case forbids it. He has one only elder son, amiable, honorable and beloved, he proposes the case to him with its difficulties ; C. ponders the matter. He loves his Father — and pities his unfortunate brother, 292 MEMOIRS OP and undertakes for him. The stipulations are all laid down and made sure between B. and C. ; — then C» throws himself into the breach betwixt B. and A ; assumes A.'s place and answers to all the claims of law and justice against him — sustains the honor and dignity of B. as King and Judge in this case, and lays the ground for peace and order in the kingdom. The application of this scale is easy to every one, who understands the gospel plan of redemption. Here full and complete satisfaction is made, but yet carries no claim of deliverance to A. ; he has had nothing to do in the matter, it is all grace to him. The scheme of his deliverance originated with B. his Father and King through the compliance of C. heartily yielded to the will of his Father. And though it is a matter of justice, according to the covenanted agreements, promises, and fulfilments be- tween B. and C. ; and these C. may of right plead, yet it leaves A. in all his sin and misery and under law and condemnation. Now you may see, though * the debt is fully discharged^ — the satisfaction for sin is fully made, yet it affords to sinners no * claim to heaven on the princijiles of justice;' because it ori- ginated not with them, but with God, on whom they had no claims for compassion. Indeed, if they had procured for themselves a good and acceptable surety, who had made full satisfaction for their sins, they would — they must have had a just right to deliverance. But since they had no part in the scheme, but it was all of God — OP HIM are ye in Christ Jesus, who op God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctif cation, and redemption, both the plan and the application of it are clearly of God, and is therefore, a matter of the merest mercy and /y-^e grace to sinners JliSSE MERCER. 293 jusliy coiulcmiicd under the law, and lying under its curse till they are quickened and made alive in Christ. Thus though their ' debt is fully discharged,' in the plan of Redemption as it lies with God, yet the Holy Ghost can, and does in conviction teach sinners, * that they are justly condemned, and that if they are saved, it must be by God's mercy alone.' For the Divine Spirit does not first teach men what they are in Christ Jesus, but what they are in themselves and under the violated law, and then, he presents to them Christ the propitiation, ' that by faith in his blood,' they may see the righteousness of God sustained in the remission of their sins." A sentence or two from the seventh Letter will give some of the author's views on the subject of human obligation and ability. After refening to some of Mr. W.'s peculiar views, he adds : " From all which, it is evident you believe, that sin has destroyed in man the principle of responsibility ; else he could not be free from obligation to obey God in any case ; for the want of natural ability alone, destroys moral obligation. If so, then sin has ren- dered disobedience 7io crime ! Byt is this true ] If there be no obligation on man, as a sinner, then, there ' is no duty ; and where there is no duty, there is no law ; and where there is no law, there is no trans- gression; and where there is no transgression, there is no blame ; and consequently impenitence and un- belief are harmless things !" Farther on, he remarks ; " It would be well to observe, there is a natural and a moral ability. The one constitutes us account- 294 MEMOIRS OF able beings ; the other consists in well disposedness towards God, our Maker, and fits us for duty. The loss of one destroys responsibility and frees from blame — the loss of the other makes us sinners and subjects us to guilt and condemnation." Mr. White professed to be of the sentiments of Fuller ; but it is evident that he did not fully under- stand the views of that profound theologian. Many of what Mr. Mercer regards as W.'s objectionable views, he fully answers by lengthy quotations from Mr. Fuller's controversy with Mr. Button and Phi- lanthropos. In the conclusion of his ninth Letter he makes the following obsen^ations on Fuller and Gill. " From the above it appears, that Mr. Fuller is not so opposed to Dr. Gill as many have thought. All that Fuller contends for, as to the infinite worth of the atonement, is comprehended in Gill's view of the scheme of redemption. What Gill places in the covenant transactions, and considers as past and done in the eternal mind, Fuller resolves into * the sovereig7i pleasure of God, w^th a regard to the application of the atonement ; that is, U'ith regard to the persons to wlio?n it shall he applied.'' What then is the dif- ference ? A mere shade — a diiference only in the Tiiodus operandi of the great plan. They are in per- fect harmony in the totality of human depravity — the necessity and efficiency of divine influence — the ful- ness and sufficiency of the covenant provision for, and the certain application of them to the salvation of the elect 07ily. — The difference then, betwixt them is only speculative ; the agitation of ivhich is much better JESSE MERCER. 295 calculated to promote those opposit'wns of science Jalscly so called, or that pliilosoph}j and vain deceit, from which Paul so much dissuades, rather than Godly cdifii^i.ngr Space can only be allowed for two or three more short quotations from this work : they are from the last Letter. " You represent the atonement precisely the same * to all the unbelievers in the world/ as * to the be- lievers ;' nay, more, as applying ' in the same sense,' to all those * dead and in ItelV as to those ' dead and in heaven before the Saviour died !' This is the same as to say, that all who have been hanged, since the pro- vision was made, in the law, to reprieve criminals, were, just as much interested in that provision, as those who were reprieved ; which is to affirm against fact, reason, common sense and truth. It makes the application of the atonement a nullity, and puts the believer and the unbeliever upon the same footing : and as it leaves unbelievers exposed * to the impend- ing stonn, which will burst with fury upon their heads in the awful day of accounts,' so it must leave all believers equally exposed to wrath ! Besides, it removes that line of difference, which the Scriptures have laid down between the righteous and the wicked : and subjects you to the severe rebuke of the rulers of Jerusalem. ' Her priests have violated my laws, and have profaned my holy things ; They have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed the difference between the unclean and the clean.* (Ezek. 22 : 26.) This is a very serious charge !" 296 MEMOIRS OF ***** " There is one other point, to which, 1 must call your attention before I close : It is the manner in which you treat a personal interest in th^e death of Christ. There is no subject so fraught with comfort to the Christian soul, as the dying love of Jesus : No feeling, so full of pleasure as a consciousness of in- terest in that love. When faith, working by love, is in full exercise, the happy soul sings for joy * He hath loved me, I cried, he hath suffer'd and died, To redeem such a rebel as I !' " This was the joy of the ancient saints : * Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Sion ; shout, O Daughter of Jerusalem ; behold thy King cometh unto thee : he is just, and having salvation ; and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass :' Zech. 9 : 9. This was the glorying of Paul. ' God forbid,' said he, * that I should glory save in the cross of Christ ; who loved me, and gave himself for me.' (Gal. 2 : 20. 6 : 14.) It is the joyful, and triumphant song of the redeemed both in earth and heaven ; * Unto him that loved us, and hath washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. And they sung a new song, saying, thou art worthy, for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and nation, and people.' (Rev. 1 : 5, 6. 5 : 9.) But the view you take of this delightful subject, saps the foundation of all this holy joy : for if Christ has died equally for those in unbelief, as in faith, for those in hell, as for those in heaven, there can be no pro- priety in the joys of those who are saved, because JGSSE MERCER. 297 Jesus had died for them, when ho had died ' in the same sense,' for those who are perished! Common rights should never be the reason of pecuhar joys." ***** " That the sheep of Christ have a glorious interest in their shepherd's death, over the world, which lies in wickedness — that a believer has a part in the atone- ment, with which an infidel — a stranger, intermeddles not, is spread all over the face of Scripture. There is nothing plainer in the sacred i3ages than that men, before faith in Christ and the inspiration of his Holy Spirit, are dead in sins, under the law and curse of God, icithout Christ and without hope and God in the icorld ; and as such, liable to eternal death ! It is false and deceptive to address men, in unbelief and impenitence, as the objects of Christ's death, as if they had a personal interest in him, and were re- deemed by his blood, any further than it regards them as sinners. It is true there is an objective fulness in Christ, of infinite worth, able to save to the uttermost, all that come unto God by him ; which forms the glad tidings of great joy — the substance of the gospel message — the object of faith — the fulness of the bless- ings of the gospel of Christ. But whatever this is; it is in the Bible of God restricted to them that believe. Thus, Christ is set forth to be the propitia- tion through faith in his blood. The gospel is the jDower of God unto salvation to every one that he- lievcth. Christ is the end of the law for rigrhteous- o ness to every one that hclicvc.th. But he tliat helicveih not shall be damned." It may here be proper to notice a discourse of Mr, Mercer's published \ii 1839, in ihe Southern Baptist Preaclier, entitled llio Excellency of the Kvowh-dgv of 14 298 MEMOIRS OP Christ Jesus the Lord. It is founded on Phil. 3 : 8. The author considers the excellency of the know- ledge of Christ as dependent upon the excellency of Christ himself, and illustrates that excellency as it re- lates, 1st, to his personal dignity; and 2dly, to the value of his sacrifice. In discussing the 2d branch of his subject, he takes occasion to present some impor- tant thoughts upon the nature and design of the atone- ment. A few extracts are here subjoined, which in connexion with the selections already made from his Ten Letters, will give something like a general out- line of Mr. Mercer's sentiments on this interesting and momentous subject. " As the Apostle informs us, in his epistle to the Hebrews, especially in chap. 10 : 1 — 10. that Christ offered his body once for (or in lieu of) all sacrifices, we are safe in concluding that all the good things which were held forth in shadows to the family of Is- rael, are found essentially in Christ's atonement, and exhibited in the dispensation of the gospel to man- kind. Let us examine the Levitical Economy, and see what atonements were made therein, and their uses, and then search for their analogies in the atone- ment made by our Lord. And " 1. There were sacrifices offered to make atone- ment for the sins of the whole house of Israel. This was done to preserve the nation, to avert divine judg- ments, and to establish among them the institutions of mercy. See Lev. 16 : 33,34. Num. 8:19. 16: 46—50. 25 : 10—13. " 2. Sacrifices were offered to make atonement for persons and things, to consecrate and sanctify them, and to make them suitable to be engaged in the work of God. See Lev. 16 : 16—19. JESSE MERCER. 299 ** Sacrifices were offered to make atonement for the Bins of individuals. This was done to open a door of hope to those who were sensible of their sin, and bur- ■dened with their guilt before God, that they might seek and obtain pardon of sin, and peace of mind. See Lev, 1:4. 5 : 6—13. * " Now all these benefits will in truVti^ be found in the dispensation o'i the gospel to ^mankind, * Through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.* There is ■in all this a main design, which is the certain salvation of all God's spiritual Israel. Other things, no less obtained through the atonement, made by the shed- ding of the blood of Christ, must be considered as "* scaffoldings to the main design.' And *' 1. Atonement was mai^e in Christ for the sins'df the world. Let none be surprised at this position, till it is well considered. Although atonement al- ways has reference to sin, yet it relates to sin under different circumstances anfi obtains satisfaction for it in relation to different ends. — When the scriptures •speak of the taking away of the sin of the world, or of the world's being saved, we are not to understand teternal redejyijJtion ; but the reconciling of the world •as such, and its preservation from deserved wrath until the redemption of the purchased possession. This is obvious too, from the fact that God does not ray ; If I have not lovM before, Help mo to begin to-day!' " The following is a connected list of the piinripal writings of Mr. Mercer. 1. Circular Letter of Ga. Association, 1801. 2. Do do on Dis- cipline, 1806. 3. Do. do. Invalidity of Pedobaptist Administration of Ordinances, 18IL 4. Do. do. Various Christian Duties urged, 1816- 5. Funeral Discourse on tho death of Gov. Rabun, 1819; 6. Circular of Ga. Assoc. Unity and Dependence of the Churches, 1822. 7. Exposition of the fast 17 verses in 12th eh. Rev. 1825. 8. Dissertation on the Prerequisites to Oidination, 1829. 9. Scrip* tural Meaning of Ordination, 1830. 10. Ten Letters on the Atone- ment, 1830. 11. Circular Letter of the B.ip. State Convention, 1831. 12. Resemblances and DitVorcnces between Chuich authority, and that of an Association, 1833. 13. Essay on the Lord's Supper, lii33. 14. Fducation Sermon — Knowledge indispensable to a Min- 332 MEMOIRS OP ister of God, 1834. 15. History of the Georgia Association, 1836, 16. Review of a certain Report on Church and Associational Dif- ficulties, 1837. 17. Sermon on the Importance of Ministerial Un- ion, 1838. 18. Sermon on the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ, 1839. 19. Essay — The Cause of Missionary Societies, the Cause of God, 1839. 20. Essay on Forgiveness of Sins, 1841. 21. Hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches, 3 numbers, 1841 22. A Manuscript Sermon on Baptism, founded on Acts 10 : 47. 23. Manuscript Sermon on Missions, from Matt. 28 : 19. CHAPTER XIV. Narrative of Mr. Mercer's Life resumed. — Letter to Mrs. R. — Se- vere indisposition. — Address to patrons of the Index. — Letter to the Georgia Association. — -Letter to Mrs. R. — To Heman Lin- coln. — Death of Mrs. Mercer. — Letter to Mr. M. — Letter of Mr. Curtis to Mr. Mercer. — Mr Mercer's reply. — " Hear what the Spirit saith to the Churclies," 3 Nos. — His feelings in view of his approaching end. We now return to something like a more connected narrative, for the pui'pose of giving a hasty sketch of the declining days of Mr. Mercer. This account may be introduced very appropriately by a letter to an es- teemed sister in the Lord, with whom he kept up an occasional correspondence for many years. It speaks of increasing infirmities. TO MRS. R. " Washington, March 27, 1839. *' Dear Sister Dolly, " I acknowledge my fault in not replying to your former letter. I am too apt to procrastinate till T for- get : pardon my neglects. JESSE MERCER. 333 " As well as I can recollect, you requested in your former letter, that your mairying should make no dif- ference to us. I considered that you were free to maiTy whom you chose, and of course we ought to be content; so you need give yourself no further con- cern about that. In your last you speak of old times. Truly I often throw my thoughts back on days gone by, and many recollections pour in upon my mind, rather with a mournful pleasure. Oft have I thought of the days of your conviction. That meeting we had at Brown's Meetinof-house — O what davs those were ! If it should come in my convenience, it would be as much as ever my joy to call and stay with you. But my going abroad has become pretty much a matter of necessity — of business, and I go where I must. " I think I can say with you that I am as ever de- termined to he and live for God ; but O my infirmi- ties seem to increase upon me, and I am like Sam- son when he had lost his strength. I cannot do as aforetime, but when I would do good, evil is present with me. I feel more and more the need of divine help. I always felt as is expressed by Oliver Hart in one of his hymns. * Some long repent and late believe, But when their sins' forgiveni A clearer pnssport they receive, And walk wiih joy to heaven. Their pardon some receive at first, And then, compelled to fight, They feel their latter stages worst, And travel much by night.' " I should have said I always felt the spirit of this last verse, and often called it mine. But I now find it still more and more appropriate. But still I do ;j3i MEMOIRS OF iiot despair. jMy motto is, trust in the Lord and go fortcardr Though Mr. Mercer was occasionally the subject of bodily infirmity, yet during his long ministry, he was seldom compelled, by disease, to suspend for any considerable length of time his useful labors. He was particularly favored in being allowed with great punc* tuality to attend all the most important meetings of his brethren. Advancing years, however, brought with them their attendant infirmities, and Mr. Mercer found at length his natural force sensibly abating. The annual session of the Georgia Association in the fall of 1839 was denied the presence of the venera- ble moderator ; a violent attack, attended with some distressing and alarming symptoms, confining him at home. Never before were his brethren so deeply conscious of the strong hold which this good man had upon their respect, veneration and love. The absence of their long-tried and faithful friend, upon whose countenance they had often gazed with so much de- light ; and whose counsels and instructions they had learned so much to value, left in their midst a broad and mournful chasm. The countenances, the conver- sation, the prayers of the brethren clearly indicated the deep sense they had of their bereavement, and how tender and strong were their sympathies for the venerable sufferer. To Mr. Mercer this affliction was rendered pecu- liarly trying by the consideration that this was the first time for a long series of years that he had been absent from a meeting of the Georgia Association. He bore it however with exemplary patience, and after a few weeks was so far improved in health as to be able to resume in a measure his accustomed labors. The last of November he attended a ministers' meeting at Povvelton ; his patriarchal form was again seen in the prayer-meeting and in the pulpit, and occasionally he communed with his brethren through the pages of the Index. But his outward man was evidently yield- ing to decay, and it seemed mourafully obvious to his brethren, that a few more rude shocks of disease must necessarily close his earthly career. In May, 1840, he was able to attend the meeting of the Con- vention at Penfield ; and though the labors of the oc- casion were too much for his enfeebled health, yet he gave strict attention to all the important business of the session, and aided as usual by his paternal coun- sels. Some of the brethren were particularly struck with the sweet and heavenly minded spirit which he exhibited, remarking that he seemed fast ripening for a better world. The following communication appeared in a June number of the Index, and will probably be interesting to the reader of this volume. The writer refers in an affecting manner to his own personal afflictions, and also to the distressing complaints of his estimable wife. It is to be hoped that his exhortations to his brethren •* to lioldfast to the Indcx,^' will not be forgotten now that he is no more ; and that the paper, amj^ly sus- tained by " the right sort of zeal,^^ will long continue to defend the cause of truth, and diffuse religious in- telligence far and wide amongst the churches. " To the Patrons of the Christian Indexr "of ourself." " Dear Brethren and Friends, — In the providence of God, I was laid aside from business by a severe illness for several weeks, last October, ; and when I had recovered so as to go out, I still found myself ?B36 MEMOIRS oy laboring under a pining intestine complaint, and which has continued varyingly till now. What this case is, I am hardly able to say. It may be, as a knowing physician said to me, a kind of rheumatic, gouty state of the bowels. This affliction, combined with the in- creasing infirmities of age, has rendered, me altogether unfit for the discharge of the duties of the editoiial de- partment of the Index ; and it has fallen for the most part on the junior editor. Finding I should of neces- sity be obliged to give it up, and being desirous that it might be continued, in the south j I came to the conclusion last fall, to place it under the care of the Georgia Baptist Convention, as the most sure method to secure the continuance of its publication. I there- fore made a proposition last winter to the Executive Committee to receive it for the Convention, and. to proceed forthwith to provide for its publication under their superintendence ; but the Committee thought it might be assuming too much responsibility, and. re- solved to lay the proposition before the Convention at its next meeting. This was accordingly done at the late meeting at Penfield, and was accepted ; and an order passed that I should be entirely relieved as soon as practicable. And it was further resolved that the Committee should adopt measures to remove the Institution as soon as convenient for publication to Penfield. Thus the work will soon, as to necessity belongs, pass from my hands, I trust into better. But for the present I am not, nor do I see how I can be entirely released, if God shall continue my life and strength, until the close of the present year. Then it is pretty certain it will go into the hands of the Com- mittee to be published at Penfield, under the super- vision of some persons, who will doubtlessly be ap- pointed as a publishing Committee, &c. JESSE MERCER. 337 ** And now, my dear friends and brethren, let me exhort and admonish, nay, let me beseech you to hold fast to the Index. That such a publication is needed in the south is acknowledged by many, but too few feel the right sort of zeal in the cause. I have made many personal sacrifices of convenience, ease and pleasure both to myself and family, and hun- dreds of dollars to sustain the paper amongst us ; and now, will you not take a little extra pains to perpetu- ate its publication in the hands of the Convention ? I do trust, that those who have been its wann support- ers, will not only continue themselves, but make a strong effort to induce others to do so. Cannot every subscriber, who feels a wish for the prosperity of the paper, obtain each another subscriber for the paper next year ] It will require a considerable increase of good paying subscribers, to sustain the paper as it should be sustained, and especially in view of the expenses which will, of necessity, be incurred in its removal, &c. " FURTHER PERPLEXITIES. " It is known to many that while I was absent last year, attending the Convention in Twiggs, my wife was stricken with palsy. On returning home I found her in bed, unable to walk. Her entire right side was paralyzed — but from this she slowly recovered, so as to walk about the house, and attend to her domestic concerns in some measure. But her other side be- came quite painful, and gradually the joints were so affected that she was less able to get about. This was her situation when I left home to attend the late Con- vention in Penfield. But on retuminor from that meeting, I had the distress to find her again in bed, by a recurrence of palsy in the left side, so as to be :J38 MEMOIRS or entirely unable to walk a step. But through the mercy of our Heavenly Father, she is again little amended — she can now begin to sit up, and with help walk across the room. Putting this increase of af- fliction in the scale with an increase of my own, since the meeting in Penfield, bars, not only my doing much in the editorial labors of the paper ; but my further going abroad to attend the principal meetings of my brethren, or much more mingling with them in public service of the cause of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; and indicates that I must soon bid them d^ final farewell ! To them I now say, Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might — and be ye faith- ful until death, and ye shall receive a crown of life, which fadeth not away. " Jesse Mercer, the agedr The continued afflictions of himself and wife pre- vented his attendance at the meeting of the Georgia Association in 1840. Anxious however to manifest his affection for his brethren, and to do all in his power to promote the cause of the Redeemer, he ad- dressed a letter to the body, in which he urged upon their attention some matters of gi'eat interest to the churches. Most of that communication is here sub- joined. " Washington, (Oa.) October 6, 1840. "to the GEORGIA ASSOCIATION, AT BETHESDA. " Dear Brethren, ** I have cherished with fond anticipation, the hope that I might be permitted to be with with you at this your annual meeting ; but the Lord seems to have determined otherwise. If ray own afflictions would JESSE MLKtEK. 339 permit, (which however can hardly admil it,) those of my palsied wife added, fomi a complete barrier. I think, under the prospect which lies before me, it is very problematical wdiether I shall ever meet with you again, in your present capacity on earth. I there- fore, in this way, wish to press upon your attention, and through you upon the consideration of the churthcs^ the imjiortance of a few particulars. We have not yet, according to the Apostle's exhortation, gone on to perfection in those godly practices, which are by Jesus Christ, intended to glorify God, and fill the earth with his knowledge and glory. There are two things especially, which should be urged upon the consideration and practice of the churches, in order to their being prepared, fully, to even bear any competent part in the instrumentality of this gieat and glorious design of mercy. The one is, a more fre- quent and proper observance of * the Lord's day.' The Apostle (Heb. 10 : 24, 2b^ condemns the manner of some, in forsaking to assemble themselves together. — Now is it not the manner of the churches, who fail to meet together three Sundays out of four, to forsake the assembling of themselves together in the sense of the Apostle % The churches therefore ought to be urged, yea, jirovoked to this love and good work. I shall not attempt a labored argument to prove the change of the Sabbath to the first day of th-e iveek. Let it suffice, that it was changed and has been so observed, by the churches, from the Apostle's days till now. Our Lord left in charge with the Apostles, to teach their disciples * all things whatsoever he had taught them.' And these Apostles have taught us that we have them for our examples. Now how is it, that the first churches came into the universal observ- ance of the^V^^ day of the tveek as their day of public 340 MEMOIRS OF worship ; and how is it that all christian nations have established it by law, if it was not at first established by the authority and example of the Apostles them- selves ? But there is another view of it. The Apos- tle (Rom. 14 : 6.) commends him that esteemed one day above another^ in that he regarded it unto the Lord. Now then, as all the churches have professed to esteem * the Lord's day' above all others, the obliga- tion is imperative to regard it unto the Lord: that is, to devote it entirely to his service. Such works of mercy, as are stated by Christ in Mat. 12 : 11. and of necessity, as in Luke 13 : 15. are lawful to be done on the Lord's day. But do not our churches suffer their members to start and drive their teams to market or other i^^irticular business ; or set out on contem- plated journeys and travel on the Lord's day, in which they employ themselves, their servants and beasts of labor as they would on any other day ] This I take to be equal to harnessing up and going out to ploughing in the field ; for he that offends in one point is guilty of all ! These things must be remedied. — For if the day is not regarded unto the Lord, it must be a profanation. I fear this guilt lies upon all our churches. " The other point to which I solicit the special notice of the Association, is, the assembling of the churches every Lord's day (familiarly called Sunday) for the purpose of religious worship and service. I suppose the practice of monthly, instead of weekly meetings, grew up out of sheer necessity ; but has not this custom continued long since that necessity ceased ? Whether the churches have settled Pastors or not, they should assemble at their own places of worship for the instruction of their families, the raising up of their children in the nurture and admonition of the JESSE MfiRCtTR. 341 Lord, and the training their young men to religious habits and usefulness. ** There is one prominent feature and custom in our Lord's character, that has been totally overlooked by the churches. It is recorded Luke 4: 16. 'And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up : and, as Jiis custom was, he went into the synagogue (or place of worship) on the Sabbath day, and stood np for to read' From this it appears, that the child Jesus, from the time when he Went down with his parents to Nazareth and was subject to them, was in the constant habit of going every Sabbath day to the synagogue to read to the people. Why should not our churches adopt the custom of going up to the house of the Lord every Sunday and employing their young men in reading to the people 1 This would tend, I apprehend, to another, and a very important result — the settling of regular Pastors in the churches. Why should not the churches now speedily return to the Apostolic plan, and the practice of the first ages ] This consideration cannot be pressed upon the atten- tion of the churches with too much earnestness. # # # # # " And now in conclusion, T hereby individually pre- sent my christian love and salutations to each mem- ber of your body, and request an earnest interest in the prayers of each and all to God for us in our low estate, that we may be able to submit ourselves un- der the mighty hand of God, with the Spirit of the suffering Jesus. *' Wishing you the presence of the Lord at your session and at all other times, " I am, dear brethren, " Yours in indissoluble bonds, " Jesse Mercer." 342 MKMoiiis OF TO MRS. R. «' Washington, Feb. 26, 1341. "My dear Sister Dolly, ** I have received a friendly letter from you eve- ry now and then, but as I was burdened with my edi- torial labors, and you as it w^ere, heard from me every week, through the Index, I did not answer; but now I am not connected at all with the Index, and have recovered a little from my decline, I have concluded to reply to yours of the 22d inst. I thank you for kind and christian remembrance and prayers ; I hope these will ever continue while there may be any use for them. You say that you had heard yesterday I and wife had been sick. 'Tis to me strange that you did not know our afflictions before that. I have en- joyed no good health since October was a year, and Nancy has been palsied since May was a year. Until last May it was in the light side only, and she could hobble about a little in the house, and with help in the yard, and even in the garden ; but in May last she was stricken in the other side, since which time she has not been able to walk at all. But this all is trifling compared with the state of her mind. It is palsied as much as her body, and gives us much more distress. Her health is, however, in some sense good : she eats with good appetite, &c. In her weak- ness of mind, she is often under the most deceptive perceptions, and is not convinceable. She becomes mad, and is the most distressed creature you can imagine to yourself. " I have been in decline more rapidly since about November, and till two or three weeks past I have been laid aside from all active business, and confined JESSE MEilCEft. 343 for the most of the time to my room and bed. I have not written any letters that could be dispensed with, and some of these / got written. For two months I have not been to the meeting-house till last Sunday, and had thought it probable I should never go again on earth. But afflictions spring not from the earth. It is the Lord, let him do with me and miiie as seemeth him good, and I submit. O pray I may be able by the help of God, to do it with a good grace. I want the Spirit of Christ in this case. "Dear Sister D., I remember you with pleasure from your youth up. Scenes at Brown's meeting- house and thereabouts, have not been effaced from my endeared recollection, and ever since in all your changes of life, I have had a tender sisterly feeling towards you. And I hope the Lord of your youth will be the God of your riper age and last days on earth, and preserve us both unto his eternal kingdom. *' I am yours in Christ, "Jesse Mercer." " Kindcat love to brother jR." TO MR. IIEMAN LINCOLN, OF BOSTON. " Washington, April 11, 1841. ♦'My very dear Brother Lincoln, "Your very acceptable letter of 27th ult. was read with much gratification. I was very glad to know that your visit and interview with the Execu- tive Committee at Penfield, had resulted in a better state of feeling; and I do hope and trust by our heavenly Father's good pleasure, will ultimately pro- duce a good effect. It was well that you * escaped th^ flood' and made your way in safety. I trust the same good hand will be with you to your journey's 344 MEMOIRS OP end, which had preserved hitherto. But you said nothing of your meeting with dear Mrs. L., or how you found her. I suppose in good health, at least for her, or you would have said something about it. " Your visit to me was the more appreciated, from the adverse weather through which you made it; though the little time which was left you to remain, was regretted much by me. I would be thankful that you suffered nothing from your exposure to the severe inclemency through which you came and went. I suppose, in all probability, we may never meet ao-ain on earth ; but while on earth, I trust we shall be prompted to remember and pray for each other by this renewal of our intercourse, and that we may, through grace, be so happy as to meet in that world where no sorrow is, but joy and everlasting conso- lation. *' As to the confidential part of your letter, so far as it relates to myself, I accord entirely with you. I suppose you may remember that I wrote the Board at its last election, not to continue me their president any longer ; I then thought it most probable that I should never be with them more on earth, and that any how, it would bo better for some one who could attend at least oftener, to fill that place, I had come to the conclusion to decline a re-election positively should I be continued one of the Board at the next election, before you suggested it. And now through you I say to the brethren who may be elected to the Board, if my name should be found among them, not by any means appoint me again to that office. I am too old, and now too much afflicted to do any good in such a place. Indeed, I hope and request that you will ask the president of the Committee to let it^be known that I wish not to be a trustee, or one of the JESSn MERCER. 345 Board of Managers ; as I am altogether unable to do any good tor the cause abroad. At home, I shall, as I may have ability, do what I can in the good cause. * * # * # " The Lord grant to the Convention a good meeting at Baltimore, and give such a direction to all the bu- siness of that body, as may be for his glory. " My most christian affection to Sister L., and to all the dear brethren connected with you in the arduous labors of spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth. " I am, dear brother, yours in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, " Jesse Mercer." " P. S. My health is, through mcix;y, still a little better. AVife is nothing better. The Lord have mercy en us^ The afflictions of Mrs. Mercer, so frequently men- tioned in the j^^'eceding letters, continued with only some occasional mitigations, bidding defiance to all the attempts of friendship and medical skill to relieve them. They were of such a nature as greatly to op- press the feelings of her most aflectionate and sympa- thizing husband, at the same time that they deprived him in a great measure of the society of his brethren, even at his own house, and by keeping him in a con- stant state of confinement, greatly aggravated his own bodily complaints. On Friday the 21st of May, it pleased the Lord to cut short her sufferings, by removing her, as is confi- dently believed, to a better world. * The following letter was written the day after her interment : * For a Skt'Jch ^f tlif I. iff ami CliaiMrtcr uf Mr- .Mrrrrr, «pe Appi^ndix C . IG 346 MEMOIRS OP " Washington, May 23, 1841. " Mt Dear Brother M. " It is now some time since any thing has passed between us. The occasions which you used to have to write every now and then have changed to Pen- field with the Index, and I have been for the most part all winter unable to write except what was in- dispensable, and some of that I got written by others. Nevertheless, I do desire to have some direct inter- course between us kept up. I have rejoiced to find how amicably the vexed question went off at Balti- more, when once the brethren had an opportunity of personal conversation. I too am happy that our own Convention was ultimately so harmonious and pleased in the Report of our Delegates on the subject. I do hope no2v all will go on more peacefully and success* fully in the great and best of causes, — in the promo- tion, so far as instrumentality goes, of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must make an effort to redeem the time and money lost last year by the agi- tation of the subject of slavery amongst us. " My health has been so bad, and my confinement so great, that I could do but little except at home ; and indeed I need not expect to do much at my time of life, and in affliction and increasing infirmi- ties. A month ago I thought I was in a fair way to be restored, as far as my health was concerned, but I have rather declined -again. Still I hope there is a radical change in the cause of my affliction, and I may yet be able to meet my brethren at their more irapor- tcint meeting, other things being equal. ****** " My dear brother M., I am this day in quite a changed state from that which I have occupied for nearly two years. It has pleased the Lord to end the JESSE MERCE«. 347 •confinetncnL under wliich I have been * like a poor prisoner bountl,' by taking to himscK my clear wife. Yes, she is gone to her lontj^ home. We placed her remains in the house appointed for all living, yester- day afternoon, in our meeting-house yard, beside which it is designed I shall be laid, when it may be tJie will of God to call mc away. You know some- what how to sympathize with a poor widower. J ^nd that * One evil to another cries. Billows on billows roll-' ** Now that the troubles of a poor distracted wife -are removed, straightway the solitude, cares, and bur- dens of the future pour in upon me with an almost overwhelming power. Pray the Lord for me, my , JESSE MERCER. 351 know not God, and love not our Lord Jesus Christ. And afflictions are heavy even to a believer, so long as he contenijDlates thern on an earthly scale, or views them in their own nature and tendencies. The alle- viation lies beyond the veil of flesh and sense, in the gracious and eternal results which they are ' working together' by * a mysterious union' to produce ; and is realized in considering them as parts of God's plan of incrclful economy with his children. When God's exceeding great and precious promises are viewed with believing eyes, the suffering child of grace may glory in tribulations ; rejoice in this dark vale of sorrows and triumph even in death ! Afflictions, though roughly clad in vestments of camel's hair, must be viewed as the harbingers of everlasting peace and rest ; and contemplated on this scale, the man of God is not only able to endure them 'patiently, but in the mcclincss of his suffering Forerunner, he wel- comes them, as indisj^ensable to the fulfilment of God's plan of mercy towards him, and necessary to the perfecting of his eternal inheritance in heaven. " The sympathy of Christ our Saviour is also a rich source o? jieculiai- comfort to an afflicted saint. * Jesus wept.' How consoling the reflection that in all our afflictions he is afflic!*;d ; that in his love and pity he bears us up ; and strengthens us on the bed of lan- guishing. Our High Priest and Mediator is touched with a feeling of our infirmities ; yea, what is won- derful ! he was made perfect through sufferings, being tempted in all points, that he might know how to succor them that are tempted, in all their afflictions, ***** " Your brother in Christ, ** Jesse Mercer," 352 MEMOIRS OF- TO MR. liEMAN LINCOLN. " Washif/i;ton, June 23, iSH ***** "I suppose you have seen, or heard of the death of my dear wife. When you were at our house she was in one of her best times, cahii and somewhat reason- able and capable of taking a degree of pleasure in the rehearsal of fomier things which in their enjoy- ment had interested her ; but she soon became dis- ordered and distressed and distressing; and so conti- nued with short inter\'als to be more palsied in her limbs, and more lost to herself No mortal can con- ceive what she suffered in her mental feelings. She was perpetually in a labyrinth of imaginations the most inconsistent in themselves, and the most harass- ing- to herself This continued to increase till the 16th May, when she had a slight turn of apoplexy, from which she mainly lost her power of action : was mostly disposed to sleep. On Tuesday she at times seemed to know those about her ; and expressed her- self as quite to herself. The fiiends present thought she was so, and if she could have talked, she could have satisfied us she was. Indeed she did say so much, late that evening, as ga"*e me to believe she was dying in koj^e in the love of Jesus. She never spake after Wednesday morning, nor opened her eyes, no not in death ! which occurred Friday night about forty-five minutes after ten o'clock. I am in desolate widowhood ; in this you and dear sister L. can sympathize with me. My health, which had somewhat improved when you were with me, soon began to degenerate, and I am not much amended yet. I have it in view to go up to Penfield and spend a little while with friends there ; and after the com- JESSE MERCER. 353 Tnciiccnient, go up the country higher; and see if change of place and company will not have some good effect on my health : but the will of the Lord be done. I wi§h above all things I could know the will of God concerning me, and do it, or suffer it in a Christ-like manner, to his honor while I live. O pray, my dear brother, that the spirit of the Lord may still be my guide and comforter till death ; that my little remaining time may not be spent in useless- «ess and pinings. " Tell brother Eolles that I received his letter in reply to mine on the subject of * the vexed question.' But as all things in reference to the Board's actino-s on that question were gohig on, as I thought, \\ell, I did not think it necessary to write any thing {\\y- iher on it. Besides, I was at that time under ca- curastances which rendered it very inconvenient to wiite any thing. I tiiist and hope the Board will be able now to cany forward all their present op- erations if they cannot enlarge them. Though the times are very trying in pecuniary matters, the crops are rather promising, and if they should turn out good, I think we shall be able to make up our loss. " I see brother Davis has been with you. Brother Peck says lie added considerable interest to your anniversaries. I hope he may be useful wherever he goes by the good Spirit of our God upon him. " You will make my best christian regards to sister L. and all the dear brethren of the Board. ** I am, dear brother, yours in much affection and in the kingdom and patience of Christ our Lord, ** Jesse Mercer." It must be evident that Mr. Mercer's protracted afflictions rendered it impossible for him at lliis time IG* 354 MEMOIRS OF to give much attention to his ministerial labors. His lack of service in this respect was very usefully supplied by brother C. F. Sturgis, a highly esteemed brother in the ministry, who had been chosen early in the year as co-pastor of the church at Washington. Occasionally however, as his circumstances would allow, he mingled with his beloved flock in the sane- tuaiy, to encourage them by his prayers, exhortations and instructions in the ways of righteousness and peace. He had a place in their tenderest affections;' his presence always afforded them delight ; yet a delight now blended with the mournful refTectiofi, that their beloved and venerated pastor, fast sinking under the weight of years and disease, must soon bid them farewell. It was but a. few times that he was able to ascend the pulpit, during the last ten or twelve months of his life ; his occasional addresses to his peo- ple were belovr, and when speaking, such was the fee- ble state of his body, that he frequently found it neces- sary to remain in a sitting posture. Mr. Mercer manifested a commendable solicitude for the spiritual welfare of the colored portion of his flock. Though during his last days he was not able to give much personal attention to them, yet he encou- rasTcd his co-laborer Mr. Sturo^ls and the most active members of his church, to hold reliccious meetino^s ori all suitable occasions far their benefit. These efforts were not in vain. In I\Iay a work of grace com- menced amongst the blacks, which seemed to advance with happy consequences for one or two successive years. As has been previously stated, the number of members reported in 1840, was 87; in 1843 it was 181. This increase was principally from amongst the blacks, and furnishes a pleasing view of the results of the work of grace, to which reference is now made. JESSE MERCER. 355 It was the ardent desire of Mr. Mercer, to be useful as long as he lived. In a letter to an esteemed bro- ther he says, " I have deprecated before God, a worn out, useless and sinful old age^ Though cut short by the hand of God in his minis- terial labors, he roused himself up from time to time to such, efforts with his pen as he thought might be acceptable and useful to his brethren. His Essay on the Forgiveness of Sins, already noticed, was written in the midst of his great domestic afflictions. At a subsequent period he prepared three numbers for the Index, which were published under the caption, ''Hear what the Sjnrit saith to the churches^ They were his last efforts with his pen intended for the public eye ; and as they may be regarded as the valedictory, the dying counsel of this Father in Israel, they pro- perly claim a place in these pages dedicated to his memory. *' Bro. Stokes, — I have concluded to send your readers a few more Nos. on a subject which I deem of vital importance to the churches. I fear many of them arc settled on their lees ; or are living in great remissness, and neglect of duty ; that they do not con- sider v/ell the obligations they are under to preserve their own purity, or fitness for the acceptable discharge of the duties required of them. I write to stir them up to a more lively sense of what they ought to do, if possible to provoke them, by plain scriptural rej^re- sentations, to love and good works. I do this, the rather, because, though I wish I could do better, I am obliged to say, with Newton's kite, But ah ! like a poor prisoner bound, My string confines me to the ground.' 3oCy SIEMOIRS Of "It seems Lo be the good pleasuie of God stdl to confine me, by continued affliction. I cannot indulge in the hope of getting out and doing any thing of greater utility, and therefore, give vent to my desires in this icay. I hope and pray my effort may be ac- ceptable to the churches, and for the use of their edifi- cation. I am both theirs and yours in Christ. " Jesse Mercer.'^ •' Washington, March, 1841." ** Hea)- what the Spirit saith unto the Churches^ No. 1. THE INTRODUCTION, " The sacred injunction is placed in the close of each epistle, sent from Jesus Christ, the great Head of the Church, by his servant John, to the seven churches which were in Asia. The reiteration was doubtless desicrned to give weight and im^oortance to the divine mandate, and to engage the particular attention of each and all the churches to the momentous things spoken. The command to hear, or attend to the things which the Spirit spake, must not be limited to the seven churches in Asia, but considered as equally bindhig on the observance of all the churches of Christ in any part, or age of the world. This will not be contro- verted. Then let it be also carefully noticed, that the requirement is made, not only of the churches collec- tively, but of every member particularly ; * he, that hath an ear to hear,' is called on to hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And this strikingly proves, that ivliat is the duty of all, is the duty of each ; or in other words, that each member has a special ob- ligation resting on him, as well as an inviting interest, JESSE MEftCEK. o^"^ ill llic thiiiufs Lauu:lit ; nor are wc to uiidcrstaiid tlic things commanded to be heard, as rcfemng to what is coiitained in these epistles merely, but in the whole book, (see chap. 1 : 11.) and not the things written in this book only, but to all the holy scriptures ; for they were all given by inspiration of the Spirit, and are required to be read, searched, preached and heard by all, that the man of God may be thoroughly fur- nished unto all good works. *' The Spirit teaches the churches, as well by the figures and characteristics used, as in the declarations made, and the exhortations and commands addressed. By the epithets of character assumed for our Lord Jesus Christ, they are shown how glorious is He, who is exalted to be their supreme Head and sovereign lawgiver. They exhibit him to be, what he affirms of himself. One icith his Father — equal in majesty, power and glory. Thus he appeared, and announced himself to the exiled John, in the isle of Patmos, say- ing, ' 1 am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.' This description of character belongs to God alone, and is unlawful to be assumed by any creature. Therefore, this declaration, together with the characters given him in the be- ginning of each of these epistles, fully proves him to possess all authoiity and dominion, and worthy to be worshipped by angels and men, as God over all, bless- ed Jo r eve?: " This appearance was most heavenly and divine. Christ here manifests himself in his mysterious union of natures, in his mediatorial and God-like characters. His dress indicates his kingly and priestly offices. His robe and girdle are rather vestments of the priest- hood. His head and hair, white as snow, show him to 35S MEMOIRS 0? be * the ancient of days.' His eyes being like a flame of fire, denotes the terribleness with which he flashes vengeance on his foes, and beams his love on his friends, and proves to all the churches, that it is He^ that searches the reins and hearts. His feet, like bur- nished brass, may signify the firmness of his going forth, and the brightness of those dispensations, in wliich he treads down his enemies, as mire in the street f or comforts his people with salvation. His voice, as a trumpet — as the sound of many waters, indicates the exceeding greatness of his power, the dreadful majesty of his speech. Let Sinai tell the awful tale — let the red sea and Jordan repeat the story — -let Moses and Habakkuk bear their witness — let John testify this solemn truth. His countenance, like the sun shining in his strength, may show the in- finite blessedness of his favor, which is life, and his loving: kindness, which is better than life. " How terrible must this sight have been to .John y yet how delightful ! how dreadful, yet how joyful ! So dreadful was Christ Jesus to look upon in his hea- venly habiliments, that John fell at his feet as dead ; but his Lord and beloved Master, who had lost noth- inor of his tenderness, drew near and laid his rio4it hand softly on him, and said, as it were, It is 1. Be not afraid. I am Jesus, who icas dead ! but 1 live ! and behold 1 am alive for evermore. Amen. " How comfortable must this visit of Jesus Christ have been to his servant John, in his desolate and drea- ry solitude. He was then indeed, in pressing need of comfort ; and Jesus did not prove unmindful of his promise to his disciples, (John 14 : IS.) but came to his beloved disciple in distress, and comforted and blessed him greatly. And are not the churches, (and all believers individually,) taught and encouraged by JESSE MERCER. 359 this wontlcrful dis^ilay of glory and grace to trust in the Lord in all their deepest afflictions and severest trials ; and confidently to believe that it shall Le well with tliern, and that they shall not be forsaken in six troubles, and in seven no ultimate, or final evil shall be suffered to come nigh them 1 For thus sailh the Lord, * when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee ; and through the rivers, they shall not ovei-flow thee ; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be bunicd ;. neither shall the flame kin- dle upon thcc.' Again, * as thy days, so shall thy strength be — The eternal God is thy refuge ; and un- derneath are the everlastin": anns.' Ac^ain : * The Lord is thy keeper; The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil ; he shall j^resei've thy soul. The Lord shall presence thy going out, and thy coming in, from this time forth, and for eveiTnore.' Truly, the Lord has given his people exceeding great and precious promises for their consolation in trouble. " The characters in which our Lord Jesus is mani- fested in scripture, as having all power in heaven and caith, and head over all things to the church, in- spire hojie, without doubt, and confidenco without fear, that all these promises will be faithfully fulfilled. His means are ample. Among these he has given his ministers to strengthen and encourage them ; saying, * comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.' And (speaking of things that are not, as though they were already done) he saith, * Cry unto them, that their warfare is accomplished, that their iniquity is pardoned ;' for they have received of the Lord's hand, instead of punishments for their sins, double the amount in blessinc^s. What wondrous goodness and mercy ! 360 MEMOlilS OF But let none judge of the Lord's ways by feclDle sense. The method of fulfilling his promises, God has re* sei'ved, with the times and the seasons, under his own power. God will be trusted, as faithful^ and waited on as sovereign, by his people. He often bears long with them, to try their faith and integrity, and to draw out their prayer and importunity at his throne of grace. But I must close these prefatory remarks, and ask your readers to wait till next week for my next No." *' Hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches^ No. 2. THE CANDLESTICKS. ^ The considerations whicli Imve been su^-crested in the introduction, plainly show the weighty obligations under which the churches lie, to obey the voice of Him w^ho spake from heaven, and the dire conse- quences of disobedience. I therefore most earnestly solicit them to attend carefully to what may be said in the following essay. " The Spirit teaches the churches some useful les- sons by the use of the candlestick as a figure, to rep- resent the churches. It seems that this is the appro- priate figure which God has chosen to represent his church on earth; to show its nature, consistency and design. It was a part of the furniture of the Taber- nacle, and shown to Zechariah in vision. And Christ in his seniion, biings it into view in its proper use, to hold up the candle of the ministry he was about to light up, to illuminate this dark world. And here the seven candlesticks represent the churches which were in Asia. ** The precious material of which the candlestick JEfebE MERCER, 3GI used in sacicd figure was composed, shows the prc- ciousiiess, nature and consistency of the church of Christ, us it is in (he divine estimate, and what all churches ought to be in practice, as near as the frailty of human wisdom, and careful endeavor Avill admit. Moses was commanded to make the candlestick of pure gold. TJiat shown to Zechariah was all of gold. And here the seven were golden candlesticks. This quality in the candlesticks must have been designed to represent some special trait of character in the churches of Christ, and it is easiest to conceive that which it is most appropriate to show, that is, of what the churches are composed, their preciousness and durability. And, "First; of li'hat the churches, according to the di- vine purpose, are composed. *' It is altogether reasonable to conclude that God, on determining to make himself a residence on earth, would choose out and build it of such materials as would do him honor. Accordingly, we find all the figures and proj^hecies of the Old Testament, relat- ing to this subject, show that the house whose founda- tion and builder is God, is framed of such materials as constitute it * the j^ofcction of hcauty^ This view, the choice materials and exquisite workmanship of the tabernacle, and afterwards, the still more excel- lent materials and the acutcr workmanship of the temple, illustiate and confirm. — The Zion of God, which he loved, was accordingly composed only of the sons of God, who were comparable to fine gold, yea, to most fine gold. They v/ere his sanctified ones — his jewels, whom he had reserved to himself to show forth his praise. Of this ecclesiastical characteristic, the first church constituted by the apostles, was a fair exemplar. It was built up in ' tlie apostles^ doctrine 362 MEMOIRS OF and, fellowship^ that is, they were constituted in the belief of the truths taught by the apostles, having gained fellowship with them, by the profession of it. And it is also evident that they had gained fellowship one with another, for they luere of one accord, of one heart and one soul. This apostolic example forms the true pattern for the constitution of all after churches. We are not informed of the particular ceremony used by the apostles in the constitution of this church ; nor indeed are we of the form used in the constitution of any of the New Testament churches ; but the ac- eoimt given of those churches, leaves no doubt but that they were regularly constituted, as was the first church, in '■the ajiostles^ doctrine and fell mvshijy.^ It cannot be questioned for a moment but that they who believed, repented and were baptized, on the day of perttecost, were imbodied as a church of Jesus Christ, else how could others have been daily added to them as such] And that none but true converts were joined to them, is evident from the fact, that the Lord added to them, and only such as should be saved^ And such were the solemnities thrown around those who were invited in fellowship, that it is said, * of the rest durst no man join himself to them; but believers were the more added to the Lord.' Paul speaks of tliose who- should be built up in church union ^ a& gold, silver, and precious stones ; and Peter as lively stones, built up a spiritual house. It is plain the scriptures nowhere admit of a mixture of membership in the churches of Christ. It follows, therefore, that all churches (so called) built upon any other principle, or formed together on any other model, or consolidated on any national foundation, are only human establish- ments, and fail of the true consistency af the churches of Jesus Christ. JESSE MERCER. 363 ** Secondly. T/ic prcciousness of Christ's church. " To show how precious the church is to Chiist, I need to say nothing more tlian that he gave himself for her. The worth of any thing is to be estimated by the value of the price it costs. Then in this case, the valne to be set upon the church must be infinite ; for he did not redeem her with silver and gold, but with his own precious blood — and wlio can calculate the worth of Christ's blood 1 O how precious must Ishe church have been to Christ ! llie interest which he takes in his people i^asscth hnowlcdgc. Paul rep- resents it as * the riches of the glo7-y of his (Christ's) inheritance in the saints.' — But who can estimate the riches of his glory 1 Who can put a value upon un- searchable riches % " There is another view in which Christ's people are precious. That is comj^lacently. This is in re- gard to what . they arc by his grace bestowed upon them, and the purposes of mercy designed to be ac- complished by their instrumentality. By his gi'ace he forms them for himself. The design which Christ had in view when he gave himself ior his people, was that he might present them to himself a glorious church. And for this puqiose they were chosen in him ; and he is made of God unto them wisdom, and righteousness y and sanctif cation, and redemption. And in accordance the church sings, * I will gi'catly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God, for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he h-ath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adometh herself with her jewels.' To the same end it is said, * the king's tlaughter is all glorious within; her clothing is of wrought gold.' "And again. * Tliis people-,' saith the Lord-, * have 3G4 MEJVIOIKS OF I formed tor myself; they shall show forth my praise.' And of every one of his people, he saith, * I have created him for ray glory.' And hence the command, — 'Declare his glory among the heathen; his mar- vellous works among all nations.' It is clearly the purpose of God, through the instrumentality of his sanctified ones, to fill the world with his knowledge and praise. And hence David prays, and every pi- , ous Christian prays, — ' Let the people pi^ise thee, O God ; let all the people praise thee. O let the na- tions be glad, and sing for joy: and let the whole earlh be filled with his glory. — Amen, and Amen.' *' Thirdly. The durability of the church of Christ^ " The indestructible character of the church of Christ is not only indicated by the golden quality of the candlesticks, but by Paul's gold, silver, and pre- cious stones, and Peter's lively stones, showing clearly the imperishable nature of those of whom God has instituted his churches should be built. God saith, I lay in Zion for a foundation a precious stone ; and the gospel order is, that precious stones be built upon it. In perfect accordance Christ says, upon this rock, (this precious corner stone,) I build my church, and the gates of hell shall never prevail against it. The Zion which the Lord loves, he founded for himself, and therefore declares she shall never be moved. Paul in unison says, we have received a kingdom which cannot be moved ; or as is said of the kingdom signified by the stone cut out of the mountain, it shall stand for ever. This enduring character of the church is derived from her union wdth Christ. From him, as her head and source of all spiritual and divine in- fluence, she derives her life — and that is eternal life — she is made partaker of the divine nature ; and from him, as her formation, being formed in him, and iitly JESSE MERCER. 263 IVamctl into him, she receives her strength and salva- tion — she is buikled up a gloiious church— a spiritual house, which shall never he confounded, world with- out end. " But it has been said, that though the church, as S2cch, cannot be destroyed, yet the individual members may. Their safety being conditioned on their faith and obedience, which may fail. They may perish. To this I allege; that, as the body is composed of its members, if they can perish, it follows as a matter of course that the body may also. The parts of any whole being destroyed, the whole must be lost also. So then the only way in which the church, as a hody^ can be secure, is in the security of each member ; for if one member may fall, it follows so may all. But the scriptures have provided amply against this sug- gestion. I shall only refer to a few passages. Isaiah admits that the Zion of God may become, by various and severe afflictions, distressing and even over- whelming calamities, a city of solemnities ; yet an- nounces her to be a tabernacle that shall not be taken down. And then, as if to prevent the doubt that some of the parts might bo injured or lost, he adds, not one of the stakes thereof shall ever he removed, nei- ther shall any of the cords thereof he hroken. Our Lord says it is not the will of his Father that one of the little ones who believe in him should perish. And again : that he came into the world, that whosoever should believe in him, should not -perish, hut have eternal life. God having promised his Son a nume- rous seed that should serve him and endure for ever, it was provided in the stipulations of the everlasting covenant, that should any of them fall away into neg- ligence and crime, their transgression and iniquity sliould be vi.sitecl^ with the stripes of the Father's ^^QG MEMOIRS OF chastisiHg rod, which is always clone in love, and fot their profit, and in faithfulness to him, of whose trav- ail of soul, they were to be both the fruit and reward. Now then, if the wandering will be restored, (and that they will, see the parable of the hundred sheep, and mark its bearing on this case,) the good and obe- dient children will doubtless be saved ; and then as a matter of course, all will be saved ; and our Lord will be able, with joyful acclamation, to say to his Father, * behold I and the children which God hath given me.' "A few r-eflections will close this number. How wonderful is the kinoi^dom of God — the church of Christ on earth ! glorious things are spoken of Zion, the city of God. For her defence, salvation has God appointed for walls and bulwarks. Her safety, there- fore, is in the munition of rocks. Thousrh hosts of men and devils may encamp against her, yet the in- habitants may be undismayed, rejoice and be strong and confident in this, that with their besiegers, in all the mighty multitude of them, there is but an arm of flesh, but with them is the Lord iheir God to help them, and to fight their battles. Their bread shall be given them, and their waters shall be sure. We may safely exclaim, happy art thou O Israel, who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, who is the shield of thy help, and the sword of thy excellency. But let no man deceive himself, and conclude from hence, that he may indulge in the gratification of his lusts, and live according to the pleasures of the fleslr, cmd be safe: For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die. * There is in the doctrine of believers' perse- verance in grace, no tendency to licentiousness. 'Tis only as the fruits of faith and love abound in them, showing them to be the children of God, that they have any right to claim the joys of this salvation. Let JESSE MERCER. 3C7 all, therefore, who name the name of the Lord, in profession, denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, strive to live soberly, righteously and godly in the present world, while they are looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of the gieat God, even our Lord Jesus Christ, into eternal life, which he has promised to all them that love him." ^^ Hear ichat the Sjurif saith unto the Churches^^ No. 3. ** By the appropriate use of the candlestick, the Spirit teaches the churches their proper and impera- tive duty. As the candlestick holds up a lighted can- dle, that it may give light to all in the room, so the churches are to hold up the light of divine ti-uth to the nations of the earth, enveloped in gi-oss darkness. The light by which the churches are to shine, is two- fold : First — Tltc light of grace which they received in regeneration, and which is supported and increased by the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ. Every be- liever is a lighted lamp, a number of whom being gathered into church union, makes the church a luminous body. Thus Paul says to the saints at Ephesus, * ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord.' The duty of church members, in this regard is also two-fold: First — In usino: their Q:ifts, and manifcstino;- their c^races in the most impressive manner, one to another, and to those with whom they are conversant, individually. And secondly; in their united church state, to act in uni- son with the body, in making known the knowledge of Christ to the world, among whom they shine as lights. This position will commend itself to every man's conscience at once, that the performance of 3G8 MEMOIRS OF those great ecclesiastical duties, which are essential to the fulfilment of the important pui-poses for which they were raised up together, and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ — even in a gospel church state, depends on a proper and faithful discharge of the sacred obli stations which rest on the members as individuals. For in proportion as the members are fervent in love, holy in devotion, and godly in prac- tice, the church will be active in every good work, aboundinGf in all the fruits of rio^hteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the glory of God. But as the mem- bers are carnally minded, conformed to the vv'orld, and negligent in religious duties, or only perform them in a formal manner, as a matter of course, so will the church dwindle into insignificance, and be- come to the community a curse rather than a blessing. How important then is it, that each member should have his lamp trimmed and his light buming, that in himself, and one with the church, he may, as not be- ing his own, but bought vs'itli a price, even the precious blood of Jesus Christ, glorify God in his body, and in his spirit which are God's! Secondly. The light of the gospel ministry. This ministry is Christ's light- ed candle to illume the world with the lio-ht of the o knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. This, the churches are raised up to support and strengthen in the propagation of the word of life, which can be done only by sustaining the ministers thereof, as the gifts of Christ to them ; for the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the body of Christ, (or the whole church of God,) till the gracious design be brought to a happy and glorious perfection. This indispensable duty requires to be discharged in two ways. First, hy a due regard to their character and standing before the jtiiulic. Ministers must have a JESSE MERCER. 369 good report from those loUo arc without. — For which purpose, all who approve themselves as the ministers of Christ should be received icith all gladness and 7icld in reputation ; for how can they have a good estimation among the people, unless their brethren are careful to commend them to their respectful at- tention ! — In this most needful particular, I think many churches are very defective. They, (at least many among them, who would be thought knowing ones,) have, instead of commending in the best man- ner they could, rather held an evil, critical eye on their preachers, especially on those who are coming forward as candidates for the ministry. And their mistakes and slips have been waxed and magnified into faults, and these very imprudently have been made the topics of free remark before the multitude, no little to the detriment of the incumbents. The light estimation in which many ministers have been held may be owing, in a great degree, to the cheap rate at which ordinations have been had in many of our churches. From a pretty extensive observation, I. am of opinion, that in many instances, a reckless- ness has been indulged in regard to scripture require- ments. In examinations for ordination, the object has not been so much to ascertain whether the brother about to be set apart to the gos23el ministry, was ahle and apt to teach its great fundamental and mystenous truths, and by his experimental feelings and religious views, to gain a reasonable and satisfactory evidence that God had made him by his Spirit and grace, an ahle minister of the New Testament, as to know his views on a {q,\v systematical points of doctrine, and his popular standing as a preacher, which has been taken as good evidence of usefulness. — Thus a good slight ;it declamation and exhortation has been re- 17 370 MEMOIRS OF ceived as ability sufficient to preach and defend the deep things of God, and to explain and enforce the ordinances of Christ. But where little has been re- quired, little has been sought for or attained. And so it has turned out, that many a man, ordained of men to preach, has had neither talent nor ministerial repu- tation sufficient to sustain a commendation. Never- theless, it behooves the churches, in my judgment, to see to it that their ministers always bear proper cre- dentials and letters of commendation, at all times and in all places, where they may, in the providence of God, be placed. " But secondly ; hy affording them of the good things of this life, a comjyetent support. If any one will look soberly at the work of the ministry, he will see at once that the ministers of the gospel have no time to spare to labor for their own support. This the scripture has foreseen and provided for, by mak- ing it the duty of the churches to support the minis- try. This has always been God's plan ; and wherever an attempt has been made to change it, it has been at- tended with a curse. — Look at Israel after the flesh. The tribe of Levi, who were appointed to the service of the sanctuary, had no landed inheritance among their brethren, but were provided for by the tithes w^hich the other tribes were to pay according to the statutes of the Lord ; plainly indicating that the min- isters of the spiritual Israel should be supported by the churches, independent of their own labors. Let it suffice to say again, this is God's plan, and should be punctually and faithfully executed. Let us exam- ine into the work of the ministry, and see what minis- ters have to perform, and it will readily appear that they must be supported by the churches, or the work will go undone. This will be clearly seen by a criti- jrrssE METirETi. 371 cal notice of Christ's illustration of his design, when he said to his disciples, *yc arc the light of the world? To give his meaning an impressive bearing on their minds, (and on ours too,) he laid down two proposi- tions of universal admission. The first is, * A city that is set on a hill, cannot be hid.' He alludes, doubt- less, to a city with lamps burning, else the darkness <©f the night would hide it. But a city set on a hill, and well lighted, is not only inconcealablc, Init throws its light out in every direction, so that the lost and benighted traveller may find the highway whic;h leads to safety and rest : or as a light-house, built on some projecting promorrtory, directs the stonn-beaten nnd distressed mariner safely into port. This most plainly shows that Christ intended his churches, built on '■the high kill of God? and lighted by the glorious gospel, should throw their light on all parts of the surround- ing country : so that the lost sinner, involved in worse than Egyptian darkness, may be .enlightened and guided into the way to peace and salTation. But our Lord does not stop here — He adds still more impress- ively, * Men do not liglit a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.' The house here answers to the irorld used in tlie statute — * yc are the light of the world? And if any should inquire what is meant by the ' world,' the commission must explain it. Go ye, teach all nations — go ye ruloall the world, and preach the gospel to exery creature. Repentance and remis- sion of sins should, in the name of Christ, be preached is huge frame into his armor, he got fairly under *ivay. Dr. Furman sat next me in the congregation. Although much absorbed myself, I could but notice that the Doctor, (whose unconscious and inordinate use of snuff', when excited and engaged was remarkable,) 412 MEMOIllS OF passed his hand to his pocket with singular celerity and frequency. At length, as the subject advanced and the interest deepened, the snuff box returned no more to the pocket, but remained open on his knee ; while the thumb and finger plied incessantly and full- freighted between it and his nose. Father Mercer was now reasoning out, by overpowering argument* the position, that the divinity of Jesus Christ is neces- sary to his atonement ; and when he announced the conclusion, proved and clear, the venerable saint. Dr. F. brought his hand dowTi violently on his krree, exclaiming audibly, ' what an important thought f " There was but little in Mr. Mercer's manner in the pulpit, which would come up to the exact and re- fined rules of oratory. His voice w^as not particu- larly strong nor distinguished for its compass and melody. When overstrained, as was sometimes the case, it had a shattered sound, and now and then, when the speaker became somewhat affected, it would glide off into a peculiar tone. His gesticulation was rather clumsy, and the fastidious might find fault with the occasional shiugging of his shoulders, and the side-way motion of the head which was so peculiar to himself; but after all, his appearance in the desk was far from being uninteresting. The fair and comely baldness of his head, his venerable mien, his portly frame, his countenance clothed with meekness, be- nevolence, intelligence and devotion, rendei^ed him an object of peculiar interest and respect, wherever he stood forth " To negotiate between God and man, As God's ambassador, the grand concerns Of judgment and of mercy." To those who had been long accustomed to the ministry of Mr. Mercer, those peculiarities of his manner which criticism might condemn, assumed a JESSE MERCER. 413 comely aspect ; lliey seemed to be so essentially a part of tlie man, so necessary as it were, to his perso- nal identity, that their correction would rather have been painful, and left upon tlic mind what would have been regarded as a defective and mutilated image of their venerated friend. " His discourses," (to use the correct and able de- lineation of another,*) "though not constructed upon the scientific rules of composition, were of a liigJi order. His representations of divine truth possessed great moral power. Whilst he seemed untrammelled by the laws of criticism, he violated not the principles of true taste. His sermons were, for the most part, doctrinal, yet always tending to practical results. His language had a noble bearing which made it a suitable vehicle of his noble thoughts. The accurate principles of sound logic ran through his perform- ances, though its forms were not at all times visible. Ungodly men of cultivated minds listened to his ser- mons as to an intellectual treat. Religious men en- joyed them as affording a spiritual feast, as well as an intellectual treat. To the graces of oratory, Mr. Mer- cer made no pretensions, but there was an unction from the Holy One, that breathed from his spirit, and beamed from his sweet and heavenly eye, that en- chained and animated the hearer, and thus more than supplied the absence of oratorical grace." Mr. Mercer never preached without method, yet lie seldom announced beforehand the aiTangement of his sermons. As he advanced, his plan was gradually and clearly unfolded, well based upon the text, and happily connected and proportioned in its various parts. As the natural consequence of his general • Bi-Jthrr W. B. .Johr.son, in tho S.miliern Bifiiit AJvocate. 414 MEMOIRS OP method of preparing for the pulpit, (that is, of study- ing subjects rather than texts,) he would most fre- quently lay down some general doctrine or princi- j)le as naturally deducible from his text, and then proceed to illustrate it by strong and well defined ar- guments ; occasionally, however, he would fall into the expository mode and follow out the leading ideas and clauses of the passage before him, in a kind of extended comment. His discourses were generally of a moderate lengtli, varying from forty minutes to an hour. Seldom did he preach his hearers into a listless frame. Most generally would he leave them, (particularly on special subjects and important occa- sions,) regretting that he had not continued longer, and more especially, as it was so evident from what he had said, that the fountain of argument and illus- tration in his richly furnished mind was still deep and unexhausted. When excited and moving on through his subject with his full. force, he seemed like a huge rock forcing its way through the compressed sides of a mountain chasm ; he would, not only clear away all the difficulties in his main track, but by the friction of his great mind, strike out thoughts upon incidental and collateral subjects, of much power and brightness, and which would supply the minds of the auditors with rich themes for after reflection. His power of amplifica- tion was not great ; his words did not often flow down- upon the people in a rushing torrent, but rather fell like a shower of massive golden apples. He never encumbered his topics with useless verbiage and vain repetitions : his language was jjlain, simple, appropri- ate and uncommonly compressed, each word seeming to occupy a suitable and important place, like a well- squared brick in a piece of solid masonry. That peculiar feature of his mind which has al- JESSE MERCER. 415 ready been so often alluded to, was very conspicuous in his pulpit efforts. He was, without controversy, one of the most original preachers of the age. His manner and his thoughts were in a peculiar sense his own ; as has been well observed by another, " he tried to imitate no one, nor could any one imitate him with success." He had a suitable respect for the opinions of judicious expositors of the word of God ; yet in the spirit of christian honesty and indepen- dence he dared to differ, if need be, from any or from all, thinking deeply for himself, and making every ar- gument that he emj^loyed, pass through the alembic of his own mind. Few preachers in our country, of any denomination, have, through the uniform course of their ministry, brought into their discourses an equal amount of valuable and entertaining thought that might be regarded as the peculiar fruit of their own mental efforts. To form a full estimate of Mr. Mercer's ability and worth as a preacher, it was necessary to have heard him often, and under various and dissimilar circum- stances. There are some ministers who, on particu- lar occasions and on special subjects, vnxh. ample time fci6cviiuiuu ns tliui little cliicUeri." •' Clirist to many is Q3 u root out of dry groinul. In jia-seing through Q dry onJ sandy rogion, you havo noticed now and tlioii a root connectc^l with a stinted scruhby tree, naked and exposed. For the want of moisture and the necessary richness of soil, it exhibifg u very meagre growth — it is crooked and knotty, a very unseemly object to the eye : such u deformed, unseeiidy, and worthless thing is Christ to the carnal mind." *' Shall I tell you how the fishermnn secures the monster of the deep? He rows his little boat along side the huge fish, poises his barbed iron, takes sure aim, and hurls it at his prey. The little instrument has t'ound its way to a sure place, and remains immove- able. The fisherman now gives rope. Oft" darts the wounded levi- athan, and in his rage and pain lashes furiously the great deep. But the barbed iron is there, and every successive struggle leaves him weaker and weaker, until at last he yields himself up a vanquished captive, and is now easily inanaged as a heljdcss, harmless thing. Thus God by his Spirit, fixes his truth in the heart of the proud, Btubborn sinner; he resists, and flounders, and hastens off — but tho truth is there — a deep and sure wound is inflicted ; by degrees tho strength of his rebellion is overcome, he becomes weary of sinning and wandering, and at last yields himself up a willing and joyful captive to the cords of divine love and grace." " Take another figure. See how the farmer tames that wild ox. He throws a strong rope upon his head and binds him to a tree. The animal resists and rages. But his strength and fury are unavail- ing ; his violent and long repeated struggles to escape at last exhaust him; his savage nature yields ; and finally he becomes entirely sub- dued and tamt;d, a7id a Utile child may lead him. So t^io Lord binds his grace and his truth upon tlio wild unsubdued sinner : his proud resistance is gradually overcome, and at last we see him a meek and gentle lamb. Thus the gospel which men pronounce weak and foolish accomplishes its blessed work, and it is seen that the weakness of God is stronger than men.^' '•When a man professes himself converted to God, and tho first step he takes is in error, what is to be thought? Is he converted ? CcMiveited he may be to religion, but it is a question whether ho is converted to God. I think the Lord is tloing a good work here, but it appears to me very much like a baru-jloor, when the wheat is in the short straw and chafl', much more bulky than valuable." When ho would dissuade bis brethren from projects, which re- quired pecuniary means beyond what they had in hand, he would often say, " let us gel the fodder be fore we buy the horse." " I recollect to have heard him (>nys a friend) once quote John 5 : 11. ' Foi' what things soever he (the Father) doelh, these also the Son 434 AfPENDlX. doeth likewise.' Now said he, a boy sees his father make a plough ; he falls to work and makes a plough also ; but lo I there are two ploughs. Not so with the work of the Father and the Son. The Father makes the world ; the Son does the same work, he makes the world too ; there is but one result — one world. If God made the world, and the Son made the world, who can resist the conclu- sion that the Son is God ?" In preaching the funeral sermon of a pious, and venerable minis- ter, he made the following remark: " Ministers are God's medicines for the people. When the physician begins to gather up his medi- cines and put them in his saddle-bags, preparatory to his departure, the patient begins to feel that his case is desperate : so when God gathers up his medicines — takes away his faithful ministers — it looks as though the condition of the people is becoming desperate." B Recollections of one of Mr. Mercer'' s Ser7no7is, furnished the Biographer by tJieKEV. W. H. Stokes. Hancock Co., Dec. 19, 1843. "Dear Brother Mallary, I send 50U the following recollections of a sermon delivered by Father iSIercer at Clark's Station, Wilkes Co., in the summer of 1837, from James 4: 12. 'There is one lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy.' At this distance of time, I cannot of course recollect many of the precise expressions, byt I will tiy to present some of the thoughts advanced in that discourse. " The venerable preacher remarked in his introduction, that God, whom we worship, is a being of infinite perfections. By his omnip- otence he has produced ail orders of existence, and by the same perfection of his character, exercised in connexion with infinite wisdom and goodness, he governs all thJtt he has made. It was not his purpose, however, to notice the various instances in which the truth of this remark would appear, but to invite the attention of his hearers to some few of the prerogatives of this One Lawgiver. And " I. It was in his power to save. That his hearers might under- stand the whole truth upon this subject, it was necessary that they should learn to think of the infinite Jehovah as the Moral Ruler of the Universe ; or, in the language of the text, as the ' One Lawgiver' to the whole of his rational creation. * But,' he added, ' you are not to suppose this great Sovereign could have given, with equal honor to himself, and equal safety to his subjects, one set of laws as well as another. This would have been to deny himself. God is infinitely holy as well as infinitely powerful, wise and good. A law that was unholy, or destitute of goodness, would have been unseemly, as coming from infinite purity, and therefore, unfit to guard the inte- rests of a perfectly holy throne, and to secure the well-being of those APPENDIX. 435 upon wliom it vva? to oporato. No law, !>iit one holy, just and good, was adequate to llie piiiposos of j)resenting the chiinis of the * Lawgiver,' or, of exhibiting tlie duties and obligations of his subjects. " 'Against such a law ns this,* said Father M., in a tone pecu- liarly his own, *wo have all sinned. And it is written, Cursed is every one that conlinucth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them. A grievous curse rests upon the head of tho sinner, because he is found guilty of a most grievous offence. He Iras rebelled against infinite majesty, and in that rebellion trampled upon the best possible law. And it would seem, nothing but hell could be the portion of one guilty of such presumptuous wrong-doing! but Osui-prising grace! tho Lawgiver has power to savt, and to save to the uttermost all that come unto him.' " 'It may be worth while,' he continued, 'for us to ascei-fain as far as we can, the grounds upon which this power is exercised. And in the first place, it is not by a repeal of the law. This stands for ever the same. Secondly, it is not by a modification of tho law— none of its claims are waived, none of its rigors are softened. But it is because the law has been magnified and made honorable by the Son of God. By his glorious atonement, the life of the sinner may be spared and the throne of justice remain untarnished. Him hath God set forth, not only in the view of the world, but in view of tho whole universe, to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God. According to this measure of moral government, God can be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.' "[Here was given such a view of the nature and ends of the atonement, as nearly entranced us all. For myself, though no en- thusiast on such occasions, it was with difficulty I could sit still, or refrain from shouting aloud. Not that the old gentleman was so eloquent, as some would call it, or that he was stormy ; but on ac- count of the majesty of his thoughts. I remarked to a brother at the close, that every passage in that discourse seemed as heavy as a mountain.] " Having disposed of the first division of his discourse he pro- ceeded in the second {)lace to say, " *IL The Lawgiver hath power to destroy. This is not a derived power. It proceeds directly from the essential nature o^ him who wields it. It is not; a power assumed arbitrarily. Nor is it ever exerted without the best possible reason. We have heard of the wrath of God, and of his indignation ; but these are figurative ex- pressions. No vengeful, no vindictive feelings, in the strict accepta- tion of those terms, ever occupied the divine mind. The sinner dies — it is the legitimate result of law. The wages of sin is death. ' Tho law gives sin its damnlDg power.* " ' He who enacts a law and makes it binding must, of course, have power to connect a i)enalty with such law. And we should ii.ituraliy fxpect, in such a case, the penally to exhibit the import- ance ui tkic law, uud the dignity of llie gouice whence it came. Tho 436 APPENDIX. Most High, in cstiiblishing the government of which we have been spcalung, certainly acted a part worthy of himself, set up an insti- tution, 80 to speak, free from all the impel fections which attach to things merely human, ami for the support of this institution all the perfections of his nature were solemnly pledged. In order then to present his throne as worthy the allegiance of all loyal subjects, he must punish transgressors. He has power to punish them and, }ui will punish them. " ' You perceive then,' said the preacher, * according to the nature of law and government, that God has power to destroy the sinner, to cast both body and soul into hell. But you flatter yourselves that ho never will so destroy. How strangely you reason J Will a holy God prove unjust ? Does not every well-arranginl government pledge itself to the lovers of good order to punish the rebellious ? And sliall the government of the infinite God be less jealous of its dignity and honor than any other ? Let not the sinner deceive himself. The fruit of his own doings will most certainly be given him. " ' But the power iri question has been exercised. Fallen spirits feel at this moment the truth of this remark. Every pang ever felt in hell is woful proof of its truth. Dives, who may bo regarded as the representation of all thoughtless, reckless sinners, proves it by his piteous yet fruitless wailings. Look at the divine procedure towards the old world. Look at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Korah and his company are slain. Ananias and Sapphira are stricken dead. The sword of justice is grasped by the hand of Omnipotence. The Lord Jshovah has power to destroy.^ "In some such strain did that venerable man of God proceed for some fifty minutes. [ regard the whole performance as one of his most masterly efforts^" The following Obituary Notice of Mrs. Mercer was originally published in the Index ; but believing that it will be generally ac- ceptable to the readers of this volume, the Biogiapher has thought proper to insert it without abridgment. " Bro. Stokes; Your readers have seen in the Index, a notice of the death of my dear wife, and may have wondered why no accom- panying obituary appeared. My reason for this is, that I have thought for some time, that long publications of this kind are very useless things, because seldom read; and the reason of this is, first, that the deceased are little known, and for this cause, if no other, have not sufficient estimation abroad, to command attention bejond the little circle of their relatives and personal acquaintances. And secondly, and more particularly, because of the matter of those Kotices. The writers of obituary articles are apt to indulge feelings, which lead them to swell their memoirs with the minutia and parti- culars of the last illness and death of their deceased friends, which, though they may affect the hearts of the immediate connexions, have no interest for general readers. " However, as my wife was extensively known, and by many, highly csteomed, 1 sup[)Ose it is due to them, and to her memory, to £a^ sometliLng more psuticuluxly in jcfcrenco toiler life and doatb. ArrrNDix. 437 I theroforo roqiippi you to pivo n plnre in your columns to tho fol- lowing memoir of licr, nnd, I prc^umo, yr)u will obligo many of hor friontld nrul iicqiiaintanrcs nhroad, hut ospocinlly lior horeavod hus- band, and your com[)anion in u luiui-nlublo und distressing widower- hood. '•Jksse Mercer." " Washington, June 24, 184 1." "Nancy Mkrcer, the suhjin-t of ihU notice, was horn in Virginia, of rosppctnhic parentis, on the 30lh of October, 1772. Her father, Mr. John Mills, emigrate 1 to this State soon alter iho close of the Revolutionary war, nnd settled on Little River, in this county, where lie raised his daughter in the stylo and education of those times. Her nioflier was a pious and beloved member of the Baptist Church nt Kbenczer, and taught her in llie way of salval'on; to respect reli- gion and religions projile, especially ministers of the goppel. She was married to Cnpt. A. Simons, Fi'bruary Sth, 17L>3 By this con- nexion sho was rushed inlj all sorts of company. Mr. S. was a man of wealth and of the world; had a peculiar faculty for the ac- quisition of property. This ho did very much by trading, which any, honor to her husband, and respect to herself In this condition she lived for many years, in the midst of aftluence and worldly splendor; but she was not satisfied. In retiren>ent, sho sought for belter joys — joys which woidd satisfy the desire of an immortal spirit, which sho found not in all the roiinns of worldly plea-sure. She loved to at- tend on the preaching of the gospel of salvation, and hence she was Hjiiformly an attendant at all the places of preaching within a rea- sonable distance. Mr. S. too, was vcy polite and accommodating to lier in this respect; often attended with her, and for her gratifi- cation invited ministers home with thetn ; in whose company and conversation she seemed to take a peculiar pleasure. It was in those days she became the subject of deep solicitude and anxioua concern about eternid realities. She found her soul v\as lost in sin, nnd she knew not how it was to be saved. She betook herself to leading, meditation and prayer, and sought to satisfy her conscience by tears of penitence. And for a while, at times, she was encou- raged to hope sho would be accepted for her own righteousness. But this refuge failed her, because of her short comings, and the im- perfection of all her best performances. About this time she heard a minister, in whom she placed great confidence, say in preaching, *• that he did not believe any one would ever obtain hope in Christ, till he acknowlegerl the justice of Cod in his condemnation.' Then, thought she, ' I shall never be converted; for I can never acknow- ledge that.' I'lit it was not long before she was so exercised about 438 APPENDIX. the evil of her heart, as the seat of all her vile affections and wan- dering thoughts, and of the evil nature of sin, that she soon came to the full and free acknowledgment of what she had thought impossi- ble. Under this conviction she knew not what to do. But in her distress her mind was turned to Christ crucified, as the only way by which a condemned sinner could be justified and saved. And by hearing and reading the word of God, and the reference of sundry appropriate promises to her case, she was gradually brought to ex- ercise hope, and to have some joy and peace in believing. But this was interrupted by fears lest she might be deceived, which gave her excessive distress. She was called to a new source of trouble about this time, by the deafth of her husband, by which she was thrown into very afflictive and trying circumstances. These, added to those which related to her soul's concerns had well nigh overpowered lier, and caused her to sink beneath the surges of mental grief and worldly trouble. But in her great distress she cried unto God, and made supplication to ihe widow's Judge, and found relief from David's soliloquy to his soul in trouble, which came to her recollec- tion, ns if some one had suggested it, — ' Hope thou in God.'' This turned her mind's eye to God, as * the refuge and strength of the needy and oppressed in time of trouble,' and comforted and sustain- ed her sinking soul for a while at least. " Owing to the death and removal of many of her social and in- timate friends in her neighborhood, she determined to remove lo Washington, where her civil and religious privileges might be in- creased. Here she took great interest in entertaining those minis- ters who came to town, or were journeying by. These always found a sure and comfortable sojournment with her. From these and the ministry of the Word, on which she constantly wailed, she sought food and comfort for her troubled soul ; for she was still the subject of much doubt and uncertainty in I'eference to her hope of salvation. Her fears, lest she might be deceived, often prevailed and filled her with deep distress. " On the llth of December; 1827, she was married to him, who is now bereaved by her lamented death. This connexion gave her improved opportunities of attending on the ministry of the gospel, and of conversation on the rich provisions of mercy in Christ for those who were ready to perish ; by which her faith became strength- ened and her hope so confirmed, that in July, 182S, she united with the Baptist Church of Christ in this place, and was baptized into Jesus Christ, thereby putting on Christ according to the Scripture institution of that holy ordinance. In the enjoyment of the bless- ings of this union, and in honor of this profession, made before many witnesses, she lived until death. " But I should do injustice to her memory, if I were not to say something more of her character, at least in a few particulars. I n )tice the following: "As a tonman — she possessed a noble spirit ; was high-minded and generous — candid, open and free in the expression of her senti- ments ; having an unusual share of moral courage ; was very jealous for her good standing with her friends and biethi-en ; rather severe in her censures, but easily conciliated when the least advances were made by the adverse party ; liberal to profusion ; besides her own APPENDIX. 439 relatives and the induslrious poor around her, and those who were brought to her knowledge as such, those engaged in buiJding plac( 9 of worship in tho country around — ihey wlio have held subscriptions, or made collections for religious or benevolent purposes; several ministers who devoted themselves wholly to the work of the minis- try, while their families were left in suHering circumstances, and many others could, if living, rise up and testify to the truth of the above statement. " As a -wife — she was fondly afToctionato, ever dutiful, and happy to please. *' As a honse-wife — she was industrious, neat and clean. Her house and household wore always kept in an arrangement of the first order — every thing was managed with the most noiseless dexterity — her beds were well furnished, and free from those annoyances, which often prevent weary men from their desired rest — her table was ever crowned with plenty, without luxury — she was always aflable and polite to her friends and sojourners, it beinjj her delight to render all liappy and free in her presence. All this is recorded in the knowledge and embalmed in the metnory of many, verv manv friends, brethren and ministers, who have turned in and partook of the hospitalities of her house, if it were but for a night. " As a Christian Professor — she was pious, prayerful, and order- ly — she was a lover of the household of God, and of the gospel preached there — she was of a discriminating mind in hearing, and enjoyed that doctrine most which gave the most honor to fiod in the salvation of sinful men — but still she was a weak believer. Her sense of the holiness of God and of the whole plan of the gospel, contrasted with her sinfulness, rendcretl her the subject of prevail- ing fears and doubts, as to her acceptance. At times she was able to rejoice in hope through the precious and appropriate promises of the gospel, suited to her case. It may be said of her, that most of her religious life-time, she was subject to bondage, through the fear of non-acceptance on account of her unworthiness and sinful in- firmities. " In her last illness, which was long and trying, no particular change was apparently eifecte din the character of her religious feel- ings. While she was capable of expressing her desires, or exercis- ing her alfections, it was evident that they lay on the same objects of pious regard, which had for a long time engaged her undivided love. " I presume, bro. Stokes, as your readers have known for a long time back, that she was in a very distressed stale of affliction, so that I could not think of leaving her, it will be quite gratifying, at least to some of them, to be somewhat informed of the case. I therc^ fore yield to this persuasion, and give it as follows : " In the first week of May, 1833, she was stricken with palsy in the entire right side, so that she was prostrate for some time. From this she gradually recovered, so as to be able to walk about the house and yard, and with help into the garden. She could attend jireach- ing (which was her chief delight) and enjoy the company of her friends. But in the first week of May, 1839, (which is somewhat ri'^markable.) she was stricken in her left side, by which she was aid in bed an entire pnralytic. From this she recovered so as to 440 APPENDIX. sit up, and for a while io feed herself; but even this last use of her self soon declined, and she remained unable to walk a step, or even stand alone to the day of her death. But this is not the most sad part of this tale of wo. Soon after her last attack, symptoms of mental disorder evidently appeared, which gradually increased to an entire state of derangement. Understanding was darkened. Imagin- ation was greatly excited, and assumed the entire control of reason and judgment. At times, she was calm and half rational, anon more of an idiot than a maniac, but most of her time she was perfectly lost to herself and all around her. Her ideas were the most wild and disorderly — her desires, not only unreasonable, but impossible to be gratified — and so for hours — nay, for days and weeks at intervals; she would cry for help, or relief in the same case, or wandering from one case to another of the same sort, in the most delirious and dis- tressing degree. Oh ! my dear brother, you, nor any mortal on earth, can conceive what that dear creature suffered in those seasons of mental anguish and bewilderment. Those times of extreme agita- tion and grief continued to increase both in frequency and violence, till it was pleasing to God to interfere, mercifully , though severely, by a stroke of his hand in another way, which acted on the surges of her tempest-tossed spirit, as the command of Christ on the winds and seas, and all her agitaiions sunk down into a perfect calm. "On Sunday, the 16ih of last month, about mid-day, she had an apoplectic turn, which laid her senseless and speechless for some time, and from which she slowly recovered through the afternoon - She spent the night following pretty much as usual, in a very rest- less and distressed condition. Towards day, she fell asleep, and awoke up the next morning somewhat composed, and continued so initil the turn of the day, when she became unusually sleepy, and was put to bed at an earlier hour on account of it; and it was said by those who sat with her, that she never moved all night. On Tuesday morning I inquired of her if she was easy and free from pain ; and she said 'yes.' I asked, do you want any thing, and she said ' no.' She seemed perfectly composed ; and the sisters with her were of opinion that she was entirely at herself, and if she could talk she would manifest it; but by this lime she could speak scarce- ly above her breath, or more than yes or no. I was extremely anxious to know how she felt, in view of her future slate, and ask- ing her several questions, so as to ascertain that she understood me; I said ' Nancy, my dear wife, how do you feel, are you satisfied that it will go well with you for eternity^' and she said ' wo.' I replied, why ! do you not love the Lord ? and her eyes filling with tears, she said ' I hope I do J I repeated, ' L love them that love me,' and left her. In the afternoon, I again conversed with her, and found that understanding still held its place in her mind, when I said, — ' Mow do you now feel, in reference to another world, do you think you will be happy there .'' and she readily replied 'yes.' I added, * do you love the Lord ?' and she said, ' I am sure of tkat.^ So far as I know, these were the last words she ever spake, except yes, or no, to some trivial questions asked her. On Wednesday morning sl.e assumed the appearance of one in sound sleep. Her eyes were f:ipt closed, and her bi-eathing hard. In this state she continued u.itil Frid;iy night, when a change took place, which notified us that APPENDIX. 441 her departure was tiigh. Her dying strife was so gentle as not to awake her. At forty-rtve minutes after ton o'clock, her spirit was permitted to leave its tenement of clay without rending it, and fly to its long-sought rest. ' This earth is affected no more, With sickness, or shaken with pain : The war in the members is o'er, And never shall vex her again. * No anger henceforward, or ehame. Shall redden this innocent clay; Extinct is the animal llame. And pMsion is vanished away.' " The end of the righteous is pea^e.'^ D Mr. Mercer's Opinions on various subjects connected with Church Discipline^ ^-c. Mr Mercer's opinions respecting matters pertaining to church #rder, associationai jurisdiction, and other kindred subjects, were so much valued, and so often sought, that many would no doubt consi- der a volume claiming to be any thing like a full Biography of this emirient man, as radically defective, that did not contain some record of these opinions. The writer has therefore thought proper to pre- sent in the appendix, some of his views upon these subjects ; believ- ing that though this portion of the work may not he as interesting to the general reader as other parts, yet that there are some who will consult it with much interest, and g'eat advantage. If the reader is not prepared to sanction every opinion of IMr. Mercer's, which is here presented, he cannot fail of finding much that will commend itself to his judgment as jtidicious, solid, and useful. Discipline. (From a Circular Letter published in the Minutes of the Ga. Association, 1806.) " That you may be able in this declining day, to possess your ves- sels in sanctification and honor before him, who has called you into his marvellous light, and in that Hght shine before others to his praise; we would awaken you to, and exhort you to be promptly active in the execution of discipline — discipline, vvithout which there can be no union, order, peace or fellowship in the church ; no, nor church itself — discipline, which, in its right vse, is the church's ecclesiai- licnl life — bond of union and peace — spring of order and fellow- ship — and great source of liarmony and love. 20 442 APPENDIX. " To this important duty and privilege, God opens the ear. Job 36: 10. And commands it to be sealed among his disciples. Isa. 8 : 16. 61 : 4 The prophet Malachi, and John the Baptist, show that Christ, in the exercise of this office, would both purge and scourge the wicked from among the righteous, so that a clear dis- tinction should be made and perpetuated between the godly and ungodly, the chhflT and the whear. Mai. 3: 1. to the 6, 16, 17, 18, Math. 3 : 10 and 12. And Christ discovered both the authority and indisponsjibility of tin? duty, when he marie a scourge of small cords and drove the wicked out of his father's house John 2: 15. Due attention to this rule wjll lead to prosperity, peace and pleas- ure. Job 36: 11. Isa. 43: 18. Gal. 6: 16. But the neglect thereof is invariably chastised with declension and destrnciion. Luke 19 : 42. Gal. 5 : 13, to the 17, also read 2d and 3d chapter of Revelation. " Dear brethren, in addressing you on this subject, we .shall use plainness of speech, and in a simple style, place before you a few very plain truths. Gospel discipline involves two very important du- ties equally indispensable. " The first, is that which each member should discharge towards himself. The second, is that which relates to the whole body. These mav be likewise subdivided. *' The former includes, first, That restraint which a christian, ichen right icith God, places on the passions and propensities of the carnal heart, by which he subdues and maintains the victory ovt r them: and secondly, that government which he exercises over the members of his body, by which he sanctifies them for, and employs them in, the service of God. " The latter embraces, first, that line of duty to be pursued in case o£ private or persotial otfence ; and secondly, that to be adopted in case of public and atrocioics crimes. To which ice attend in order. " And first, to discipline the heart, dHigence is enjoined, Prov. 4 : 23. 2 Pet. 1 : 5 — 10, to show that it is a duty to be performed only by promptness and perseverance. It includes three things: First, the detecting and crucifying all improper passions, or desires, that is, all which on examination, (and none should pass without it,) shall be found. contrary to the holiness, and incapable of work- ing the gloi-y of God. Luke 9 : 5.5. Gal. 5 : 24. Heb. 3 : 12. Secondly, the guatiiing and restraining those affections, which in themselves are lawful, b'Jt are capable of excess, fur virtnons. be- come vicious desires in the extreme. Eph. 4 : 26. Col. 3 : 5. And thirdly, the promoting and pursuing all gracious emotions, as leading into the knowledge and service of God. Psa. 19:14. 1 Cor. 14 : r. Eph. 3 : 16—19. 4 : 22—24 *' Secondly: Your bodies are the memliers of Christ, and temples for the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor 6 : 15. 19. Your whole deportrrent, therefore, should correspond with this consideration ; and all the meinbers of the body be presented as living sacrifices to God, aid solely employed in his service: or, as a modern poet teaches: ' A cov'nant with your eyes be made ; Your words be few, or fitly said, And season'd well with grace ; Be deaf, or oiilj- hear aright; \o\xr footsteps planted in the light. To riui the Christian race. APPENDIX. 443 Vour hands be pure and rais'd to God ; Your taste delighted with his word ; Be every member his ; Delight to smell his rich perfume, \Vhici> balms the air — will death o'ercome, And adds new charms to bliss.' "To be able to clecide correctly on tlie affections of the heart, or the right rtse of the members of the body, it will be incumbent to cultivate an acquaintance with the laws o^' nature, grace, and provi- dence ; by which the natural, spiritual, and moral fitness of things will appear; so that you may approve the things which are excel- lent, and be without offence till the day of Chiist. Phil. 1 : 9, 10, 11. •* The second part of discipline teaches the rules of procedure in cases of jmblic or private offence ; which should be pursued with great exactness, without partiality or hypocrisy. " And first, iti case of private ojftiice. Be sure to follow pre- cisely the directions of Christ given in Matt. 18 : 15, 16, 17. Tak- ing especial care that you do not make that public which is, and should be kept f?rirrt/e, or that you do not make yourselves eni'ty, in conversing on private subjects to indifferent pers'it'j, ilii-rel)y i/«.'- coming the sowers of discord, or idle, mischitiuus tale-bearers so offensive to God and destructive of human happiness. Lev. 19 : 16. Tiov. 11 : 13. 18 : 8. 20 : 19. 25 : 9, 10. 26 : 21,22. This rule is particularly binding on the offended, commanding him to imnu'- diate conciliatory measures: but let not the offender think himself secure in idleness, nor carelessly wait for his grieved brother to come and deal with him ; but let him attend to the counterpart of this rule in Matt. 5 : 23 to the 26, which shows it to be the duty equally of the offender to go and be active in the adjustment of all differences. The sooner the belter. Jic%. 12 : 10, 11. " But secondly, in case oj public and scandalous sins. Th*^ first step to be taken is to reprove, admonish, and in a christitin a/irit, endeavor to reclaim the apostate brother from the error of his ways. Lev. 19 : 17. Gal. 6: 1,2. Kph. 5:11. 2 Thes. 3 : 15. 1 Tim. 5 : 20. Heb. 12 : 13, 14, 15. James 5 : 10. 20. This duty we fear is very much neglected from some cause — the want of zeal — or perhaps fnmi a prevailing notion that it would be improper to heal a public offence, by a private conversalion: bi't however improper this might be. we conceive it would be highly proper to heal a pub- lic offender by any means the gospel directs. The design however of such reproof, &:.c., is not to cure the offence, but him who gave it; that he may may be pre{)ared to remove the offence in that way the gospel requires. But should he fail to be reclaimed by this mea- sure, and not come to the church to meet, and in the best manner in his power, atone for his disorders ; then it will be the duty of who- ever is concerned in the case, when the church is setting in her offi- cial capacity, to bring such person before her bar, or make report of the case to lier, whose duty it will be to call for, and reckon with him according to Malt. 18 : 24 and 31. 'Qui in case of gross enor- mity, under which the cause of God and the church particularly suf- fers, it mav be expedient to proceed more promptly according to the case recorded in 1 Cor. 5lh chap., which seems to have been donu without sending for, or attending to the delinquent in any way. 444 APPENDIX. •' The great object of discipline i3 holiness to the Lord. With a view to ecclesiastical holiness, it commences cautiously in the re- ception of members : and ends gloriously in consummating thera in the beauties oi practical holiness. In receiving persons carelessly, or at the instance o^ passion, you may corrupt the church, dishonor God, and involve yourselves in much distress, confusion, and sin. Be careful, therefore, to receive none but those to whom the gospel gives a right; Matt. 18 : 3. 5. Acts 5 : 13, 14. 1 Cor. 6 : 17. That the church may be visibly what it is really, the pillar and GROUND OF THE TRUTH, and be presented a chaste virgin to Christ. 1 Tim. 3 : 15. 2 Cor. 11:2. But we are aware that discipline may be so managed as to defeat its own design, and instead of unity and peace, produce divisions and strife. A government by majority nat- urally tending in important matters, to make parlies, and breed confusion, should be studiously avoided. Rather be of the same mind and judgment; espouse the cause of the weak, or be invaria- bly on the part of the aggrieved, whether major or minor ; and let UNANIMITY be the bond of your peace. Psa. 133 : 1. 1 Cor. 1 : 10, 11. 13. Eph. 4: 2." Private Labors should generally precede Church action, (From the Circular of the Georgia Association for 1816.) •' It has been a custom pretty widely practised, to bring all cases of a public and of!ensis'e character, whether facts or reports, Jirst before the church, that they might be met and treated in a manner correspondent with their general and infectious consequences. This rule we think ezceptiovable. ^ *' 1st. Because it is defective : for " ile it provides a remedy of the public effects, it proposes no means for the removal of the cause of offence. "2d. It fosters neglect: 'Tis founded on the suspension of per- sonal intercourse, and consequently on the suspension of brotherly love and christian care. — The duty commanded by Paul and Jamea to ' convert and restore such an one,' is totally neglected and set aside by this rule. What the Apostles make to be the proper bur- den and duty of an individual, is hereby thrown on the church, while the members content themselves individually, to be of the number who live in error. "Perhaps it may be asked, shall we all go? Indeed, brethren, that might be the better state of the case. For admit ' suck an one' should be among you ; and you all, one by one, should make him a visit, ' in the spirit of meekness,' on that account, in the course of a few weeks, would not his hpart be broken for his sin ? or would he not be left without excuse? And would not that be much better than to pass him by, or treat him with neglect? Surely you will answer, it would be better. "3d. l\.\i uncharitable : it is so distant — «o cold — 50 unfriendly, that it is more likely to disgust than reclaim — to harden than soften — to exclude than restore. But, " 4ih. It promotes tale-bearing. In the spirit of the rule con- ested, yon feel at liberty to speak freely of such cases among your APPENDIX. 445 selves, and even to others ; by which you become ' laltlers, whisper- ers,' and the sowers of discord, rather than 'peace-makers.^ We need not tell you that in modern, as well as in ancient limes, there are many who say, ' report and we will report it.' — That manyya/«e and viriilcnt tales are often circulated, with celerity, to ruin the char- acters, and hinder the usefulness of the best among men. By the rule in question, you may become the abettors, and forward the de- signs of the most cruel and inveterate men. " Exclusion should never be regarded as the result of our endea- vors. Every idea of union — the best feelings of the heart, recoil at the shocking thought. 'Tis the resort of despair — the dreadful al- ternative in case of incorrigibleness, like the amputation of a mortal limb, to save the body from its ruinous consequences. " There are, however, a few cases which justify and require a re- sort to this severe measure, with much less ceremony than others : as when a man brought before the church for some notorious crime, makes great pretensions to humility and godly sorrow ; and being forgiven, goes out and in similar cases, carries himself with ingrati- tude and hardness of heart towards his brethren, or in any other way proves his acknowledgments before the church to have been hypocritical, he may be presented to the church without any per- sonal regard shown him, because he has destroyed all confidence in himself. As suggested in Matt. 18 ; 23, to the end. Also when a hypocrite among you does what proves him so, like Simon Blagus, * in the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity,' he may be cut off without any endeavors to reclaim him, because there is nothing, ^ro- perly, to which he can be reclaimed- " Likewise, when a man foims any illicit connexion, or commits offences which prolong their effects, and which no sudden concessions can remedy; as in the case of the incestuous man, he should with- out waste of time be ' delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,' and that his reformation and the proofs of it might be made manifest." Are nil cases of discipline to he managed and settled by Matt. 18 ; 15—17 ? " To this question we answer no, because other scriptures require a different treatment. It is evident as there are different causes ot offence, so there must be a variation of management and termina- tion. The above rule, we conceive, provides only for personal and entirely private offences ; or cases which lie alone between two brethren. For why should secrecy be enjoined in a case, which is known openly ? Here private intercourse is enjoined in the first step, and only to be made public as the case might require. And we are of opinion, that if this rule was strictly regarded in all such offences, many of those cases would be nipped in the bud, or healed in the first intention, which, for the want of it, break the peace, and distract our churches with confusion and party strife. But we think il would be maaifestly for the dishonor of Christ and contejjipt of 446 APPENDIX. religion, to attempt to settle cases of public and scandalous offences by this rule. However, we are fully persuaded that all cases, as a general rule, should commence in personal labors. The follow- ing texts lay this down clearly. Gal. 6:1, requires, that, if a bro- ther ' be overtaken in a fault,' (i. e. caught,) the other members should restore him. And by what follows it is plain that it must be done in a tender, careful, sympathizing manner, which cannot be done without personal endeavor. " This is also inculcated in the allusions made by Paul to the mutual sympathy and care which God has given to the members of a nat- ural body. 1 Cor. 12 : 25, 26 which cannot be fulfilled, but by the most careful and prompt attempt to remedy the cause of suffering, according to the laws of brotherly kindness. To this endeavor to restore an offending brother, the Apostle James encourages in his Epistle, 5 : 19, 20. Here the work of converting an erring brother must require personal labor. But though every case must be begun in personal intercourse ; yet it is not to end there. Should the labors of brethren succeed in restoring the offending brother, he will as a matter of course, seek to redress the evil consequences of his sinful course, which will require him to come before the church to answer publicly to the charges against him, so that the scandal may be removed from the church and cause of Christ. Should the well timed, and well meant endeavors of the brethren fail, the delin- quent must be hailed before the church to answer for his offences. This is clearly indicated in IMath. 18 : 32. In 1 Tim. 5 : 20. The Apostle directs that, they that sin (openly doubtlessly, as private sin is otherwise disposed of) are to be rebuked before all, that others may fear." '• There are a few cases which may be pleaded as an exception to this rule. They are cases of such enormity as makes 'a speedy ex- ecution of discipline necessary to sustain the honor of the cause and the church, by making the offender an example of summary punish- ment. The instructions to the church at Corinth in regard to the incestuous man are in point But we think the cases are few and very peculiar, which would justify a personal neglect of the offend- ing brother, to restore him to his forfeited standing and lost com- forts." May a church receive testimony from men of the world ? " It should be kept constantly in mind, that the Church of Christ is a body of light, whose office is to shine to those who are rcilhout. The Apostle tells us that whatsoever maketh manifest is light. But how can the church shine unto them, if she shut herself up from them, and refuse their testimony without reason ? Would such a course be walking towards them either honestly or in wisdom ? The object for which testimony is received at all, is to ascertain the truth ; but if a church refuse all testimony from without, she will in many cases refuse valid evidence, and so obscure the truth, and injure the cause of union and fellowship in herself. We will state a case. Sup- pose a member is accused of drunkenness and blasphemy, under cir- cumstances which, if true, would break fellowship with all the other APPENDIX. 447 members, but the witnesses are two of the most respectable non- prol'ossors in tho neighborhood, whose veracity has not been ques- tioned by any — but because they are not mrmliers they are refused. Now. does this refusal do away the effect of their testimony from the minds of the church? Not at all. Then tlie fellowship of every member in the church is lost witli this man, but he cannot be exclu- ded, because there is no admissible evidence against him. This would he an intolerable case. Tiie better way is to hear all, and hold fust to that which appears just and good. The church is by no means bound to believe all the testimony which may be brought in, but should act wisely in weit;liing the evidence, in ascertaining the truth of the case on trial, and coming to a righteous deci;.ion." Have females a right to vote in the church in matters of disci- pline 7 " To the law and to the testimony then let us go. In 1 Cor. 14 : 34,35, Paul lays down the following orrler : ' Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not pprmitted unto fhem to speak; but to be under obedience; as also saith the law — And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home : for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.' And again he saith, 1 Tim. 2 : 11 — 14: * Let the woman learn in silence with all subjec- tion. But I suffer not a woman to teach, or Tisurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adatn was the first formed, then Eve. And Adam wa>i not deceived ; but the woman, being deceived, was in the transgression.' " From these verses, it is generally agreed that women are de- barred any participation in the public ministry, and this is the uni- form practice (wiih one solitary exception) of all the denominations. But arc they not as fairly debarred participation in any exercise of authority, or government, which would even put them on a par with male members ? There is a sense in which women are not permit- ted to speak in the churches; and yet there is a sense in which they may speak. Now in what may they not speak ? In teaching and governing. For these obvious reasons : 1. The law requires it. 2. Adam was first formed, then Eve. This gives the man the rule and government. 3. The woman, being deceived, was in the trans- gression ; indicating her weakness, and affording a reason ever after- wards for her being under obedience with all subjection. But in what may they speak? In praying and prophesying, see 1 Cor. 11:5. Acts 21 : 9. But this prophesying, when used by women, must not be teaching, but only for edijyivg. For it is not pkr- MiTTtD to a woman to teach. Now, then, if women are not per- mitted to teach and exercise authority in the churches, how can they vote in matters of discipline which is government? We are (and have been long) of opinion, that women are in the verses above, debarred the right of voting in the churches in all matters of govern- ment, because they cannot use this right without being on a par with men, and in many instances taking the ascendancy, which is at pal- pable variance with the obedience and subjection which is required of them. 448 APPENDIX. " We suspect it is ibe general practice in the cliurches of our or- der, to allow women this use. But whenever a case of this kind has come under our observation, we have noticed an obvious reluc- tance in adopting it. And within the sphere of our administration they have modestly declined it. We have never had any difficulty on this subject with us, and we hope for the sake of the female chris- tian character, women in no churches will ever make a difficulty of it; and if men should attempt it, in view of honoring them, they will have grace enough to rise up with one consent, and pour ih • waters of^pious, modest, and humble contempt upon it and quench it at once." Is it gospel or duty for one church to receive persons excluded from another church simply on account of their heina friend- ly to benevolent institutions ? " On the above query we have endeavored to reflect with cool de- liberation, and the result of our thoughts leads us to answer it in the negative. Exclusion from a regularly constituted church, is in itself right. It is the execution of a sentence on the authority of Christ, by the only authorized body, and ought to be respected by all orderly churches. But as in all human affairs there is a liability to err, even churches may become disorderly, and abuse their power, which was given for edification, by using it for purposes of destruction. The power to exclude may be used improperly in two ways; first it may be executed on proper subjects without a proper cause; and secondly, it may be exercised on those over whom there was no ju- risdiction. In either case the act is disorderly. In the case befoie us, it should seriously be inquired whether exclusion for the causes above stated, is legitimately gospel order? If it shall be judged, (and we think it must be) that exclusion cannot rightly lie against any member, otherwise orderly, for uniting with such societies, or being friendly towards them, then it must be disorderly to exclude persons for such causes. The case, then, upon this hypothesis, presents an act of violence and disorder in its origin; and as one act of disorder may excuse, if not justify another, we are led to the conclusion in this, and such like cases, it would be to choose the least of two evils, to receive such persons, not as an orderly, but as a necessai'y act of indemnity against oppression." What is the minority of a church to do ivhen the inajority {&r a part of them) become notoriously immoral ? " In reply to this question, we are constrained to say that such a state of things in a church, once regular, is the sheer neglect of a godly discipline. For if, when the church was in order, the mem- bers all sympathizing with each other, the first buddings of immoral- ity in the enormities stated, had been plucked off by the gospel rule, such a state of misrule should never have existed. So that the pious minority must be deeply involved in the guilty causes of such a case. Now, therefore, they, repenting of their past negligence, should ad- dress themselves patiently to the work of reformation. In thia, they APPENDIX. 449 should be encouraged, by ihc promise made to any member in the Laodicean church (when in a similar state of decline) to enduring, per-^evering cflbrts. If these efforts sufficiently tried, fail, let the neighboring churches in good order, be called on to labor, to secure the desired end : but if, after nil, the majority remain incorrigible, and refuse to be corrected, then let the minority come out and be separate from them, as not being worthy to be acknowledged a church of Christ; but rather as a synagftgue of Satan." Is it right to exclude an offending brother from the Church hy a Committee, and for the accusers and witnesses to comj)ose a part of that Committee 1 "We give it as our opinion, that many cases of difficulty which come up in churches, may be as well, if not heller, adjusted bv a committee of judicious brethren, than by the church assembled; but a committee should never be allowed_^7ia^ action in any case of dis- cipline. Committees should always report their actings and doings to the church for her confirmation or rpjection. And we should think common prudence would select others on the committee than those concerned in the case to be examined. We are surprised that any body of brethren, worthy to be called a church, should place in a committee the accusers and witnesses in the case to be investi- gated ; and especially when that committee was vested with power to excorrununicate the supposed offender." Ought brethren to go to law wiOi each other ? 1 Cor. 6 : 1 — 8. " It is evident the apostle's object in these verses, was to admon- ish his brethren against going to law one with another, and to advise them to adjust all their civil disputes amongst themselves by Refer- ence ; and we are by no means disposed to encourage brethren to go to law; but rather settle their differences among themselves by ref- erence. But at the sapie time it ought to be recollected, that the time and change in civil affairs, which seem to have been anticipated by the apostle, have long since taken place. Our laws and courts are founded on Bible principles. They too are enacted and created by us as a republican people. Why, then, should we complain of ill usage in being brought before the bar of our own country, to be tried by the laws of our own enactment ? Although, as we said, we would by no means encourage brother to go to law with brother, yet we cannot see any thing in this passage which forbids it, under present circumstances. At least, we think, before the churches could with any propriety, withhold their members from seeking their rights at the tribunals of their country, they ought to establish an adequate system of administering justice in civil and pecuniary affairs within their own bodies." IVhat is valid baptism 1 " On the general principle, we say, as the best conviction of our own mind fronn the scriptures, that the only qualification in the sub- 450 ' APPENDIX. ject of baptism, required in the Bible, is a credible profession of re- pentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. And as to the administrator, the New Testament lays down directly nothing about it ; but it is fairly to be inferred, that he should be a man ordained to minister in holy things ; of orderly walk and gospel failh. But the question will be asked, what shall his faith be ? We reply; from analogy, it would seem his faiih should be in perfect harmony with that of the subject's, lie must believe in repentance and faith, as required by scripture, in oider to baptism ; and baptize the subject, in faiih, into Jesus Christ according to the faith of the gospel. " What other degiees of faith may be requisite to a sound theolo- gical faith, we pretend not now to say ; but to a gospel, valid bap- tism, we cannot see any thing else necessary, as to faith, but an ac- cordance of belief in administrator and subject, and that that be what the gospel requires. " And in regard to C. W. or any other minister, who may have adopted some articles of failh (say Unitarian,) which dissolves his denominational connexion with the regular Baptists, but yet retains his orderly christian character and his belief in the gospel require- ments in order to baptism, and baptizps into the faith of Christ, ac- cording to the scripture, we cannot see why his baptisms should not be admitted as valid ; because his Ikith and practice are acknow- ledged to be good, and he is uncondemnod so far as baptism is con- cerned. And we do not see how unsoundness in articles of faith, which have no regard to the administration of ordinances, can affect the validity of their administration." Is it consistent, expedient, or ])'>'oper, to baptize persons when they avow it as their intention to join some other denomina- tion 1 " Our opinion upon this subject is that Baptist ministers should forbear. The inconsistency of these persons, of itselt, is sufficient to warrant such a course. They would be regularly baptized upon a profession of their faith, and yet retain a connexion with those who, it would seem from their conduct, they think are not baptized ! What does it signify lo hold right views ourselves, and to practise accordingly, and at the same time connive at error in others by being connected with them in a church capacity? We are decidedly of the opinion, that to baptize, under such circumstances, is not ' con- sistent, expedient, or proper.' " It is certainly desirable to commune with those we think are christians ; but to do this, we must not compromit truth, or encou- rage others to hold it in unrighteo'isness." The use of the Violin* (From a Letter to a Friend.) " You may ask me, if there is any evil in a fiddle or its use? I answer, perhaps no more than there is in an idol, or in meats offered APPENDIX. ' 451 in sacrifii'O to an idol. Yet it is evil for nny man to eat or play with ofli'nco. Thouo;h you may have the knowledge that these things are simple and innocent, yet all good christians have not, and will be grieved with your meat, or playing the fiddle. If, then, you persist, you walk uncharitahly towards your weak brethren, and will be condemned by the apostle, Rom. 14 chap., latter part, and 1 Cor. 8 : 9 — 13. I trust you will digest this matter according to this rule, and act accordingly, as one who must give account. " But it is not certain that the use of the fiddle is innocent, be- cause things are always estimated according to their accustomed use. The fiildle has, within my knowledge, been mostly used in parlies of pleasure, or in dancing assemblies, sumptuous feasts, and balls, &c., and not in the worship of God; so that its use will be associated with these in the mind, and therefore tend to strengthen them. But if the viol of scripture is the violin or fiddle of our day, it is never mentioned but in connexion with such things as are an abomination to God ! " There is wo pronounced against those that invented to them- selves instruments of music like David — perhaps the fiddle is one ! I know of no instrumental worship approved in the New Testament in the chuich of Christ, and am of opinion it is too doubtful to be patronized. ' He that doubtelh is damned if he eat,' &c. I trust you will strive to do good and not evil in all you do — study the apostle's advice, that whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God." Divorce. Mr. Mercer (contrary to the opinion, of many divines,) con- tended that under the gospel dispensation no act whatever disannuls the marriage contract, so as to allow a remarriage of either of the parties. JNIatt. 5 : 32, and other parallel passages he considered as simply an exposition of the Jewish law as it was originally given by Moses, but which had become sadly perverted by human traditions. The exception there made in case of adultery, he did not conceive to be incorporated with the gospel law of marriage. Usury. This he considered a "vexed question," admitting much to be said on both sides ; but as for himself he stated that he had never gained his consent to receive more than lawful interest for money loaned, and he advised all his brethren to pursue the same course. It is to bo regretted that on this subject Mr. Mercer did not take a more decided stand. The loaning of mone^.t an exorbitant in- terest, has been a most serious evil to the country, and it would seem that the christian, who by his prol'ession acknowledges his subjec- tion to " the powers that be," ought not to feel at liberty to violate the law of the state. If the laws regulating this matter are unwise, let them be modified, or repealed; but whilst they remain as they are, let them be honored. 452 APPENDIX. Feet Washing. " In regard to washing the saints' feet,^^ says Mr. Sherwood, * his opinion was that it should be attended whensoever brethren desired to exhibit a token of friendship for one another. This cere- mony was attended to once in the meeting-house at Eatonton on Sab- bath evening, while he was pastor. It was with great hesitancy that I yielded to his request to wash mine. A few years after, when it was attempted to prove it to be an ordinance, and.to be observed in connexion with the Lord's Supper, he ceased t)je use entirely. He did not regard it as an ordinance, nor to be attended to with the Eucharist. He did not, so far as I could learn, engage in it for some fifteen years prior to his death. He looked upon it as a social duty among brethren." Chastisement of Christian Servants. It was his opinion that servants in the church ought to be dealt with and excluded before >hey were chastised by their masters. Prerequisites to Ordination. " 1. He (a proper candidate for ordination,) must be regenerate and born of God. " 2. He must be of good report, both in and out of the church. " 3. He must be called of God to the work : and, " 4. He must have gifts suitable to the discharge of the duties of the office." Meaning of Ordination. " The meaning of ordination is, that the individual ordained is approved as a minister of God, and sent forth, endued with power from on high, to preach the gospel and administer its ordinances, wherever he may be called in the providence of God." The Manner of Ordination. " The manner of ordination will be found in those rites and cere- monies used by the apostles in setting men apart to the gospel min- istry — and these appear to be ** 1. Designation. To ascertain whom God has called and fitted for the work is an important part in * the manner of ordination.' This lies at the foundation. It is the preservative of a sound and spiritual ministry. * * * " But it may be asked whose'duty is it? It is answered even na- ture teaches us that the church has the first concern in this import- ant duty. She is the mother. It must be hers to rear her sons in the service of God, according to their several ability. * * * But the work of designation stops not here. Ministers, especially pa$- APPENDIX. 453 tors, bnve a very rosponsible part in fhis business ; ihey are the watchmen on the walls, have the caie of the churches and the min- istry both in their hands. Responsiljle oflice ! "2. Examination. * * * If a man must desire the office, be apt to tench and blameless, these things must be inquired into. But by whom shall the examination be conducted? By the church? By no means; (the church is the only proper judge of character;) but by the Presbytery, or session of Elders. * * * And if all (both church and presbytery) are nnariimousli/ and comfortably agreed, (for there must be no schism in this case) that the iking is of the Lord, then let the presbytery proceed; " 3. By prayer and fasting (the church uniting in these) with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, (or of one on the part of the rest) to set him apart to the great work of the ministry. * * * « * " From the scriptural account we have of this rite in ordination to church, or ministerial offices, (for it is used in both,) and from the fitness of its meaning to convey the sense of the presbytery in ap- proving and receiving a fellow-brother into the ministry; and from its being the only outward sign used in ordinations, recorded in the practice of the apostles, we are decidedly of opinion it should never be wanting in the manner of ordination among us." Ministerial aid in ordination necessary to ministerial felloW' ship. In reply to one differing from him in opinion, Mr. Mercer remarks as follows: " It may be proper to say a little on the necessity of miyiisterial aid in ministerial investiture, in order to ministerial fellowship. This you rightly define to be ' the union and recognition of brethren, who have, in accordance with divine direction, been regularly in- ducted into the ministerial office.' This is very just. And when evidence of this is ' satisfactorily obtained,' union, recognition, and cordial acceptance will be secured. But can mere church compe- tency effect this object ? Ministers of different countries can have fellowship, readily and cordially, only as they have confidence in the competency and authority of the body who invested them with the ministerial office. But is the scheme of mere church appointment to that office capable of such confidence ? The ministry is to minis- ters, what the church is to common brethren; and a man might as soon be introduced to the fellowship of the church, without being re- ceived by the members of the church, or some other in whom they had full confidence, as any one can be brought into the fellowship of the ministry without being received by the members of the ministry. The capacity of a church to inspire and sustain the necessary confi- dence to secure ministerial fellowship, will more fully appear by con- sidering what a church may be. It is not fixed, I believe, what number of members may constitute a church. But very few, two or throe, a single family, a bare sufliciency to carry on discij>line ; let us fix at seven. How can this church afford confidence in xho fitness of her appointments to the end of the woiUK It cannot reasonably lie! But your scheme is lees tenable, when it is recollected, that it 454 APPINDIX. renders the ministerial office elective. Then in that case, not seven, but foar against three (and these three may be the strength of the church,) appoints one of themselves to the office of gospel minister. Is it possible that such an appointment can give to any one an au- thoritative claim on all churches and ministers, to their cordial ac- ceptance and brotherly companionship ? * * » Besides the door it would throw wide open to aile speculation and base electioneering in reference to the gospel ministry. ' Men of corrupt minds — of cunning craftiness, who lie in wait to deceive,' and all high-minded, self-complacent, and designing men would find it easy to operate on these small and weak churches, an influence favorable to their base designs. Once establish it as the accredited rule, ' that the church has the only and the sole authority' to induct into the ministerial office, and that it is elective, and that instant you have opened the floodgates to error, and exposed the church to divisions, feuds, strife and destruction ! The duty of the Churches in relation to the gifts of their mem- bers. ^(Froin a Report prepared for the Ga. Association.) " First. Let it be held, in all the churches, as the sacred and UTirestrained right of any male member, of orderly deportment, to exercise himself in the vse of any gift he may think given him of the Lord, in exhortation or doctrine, for the edification and comfort of his hearers. " Secondly. Let it be regarded as the bounden duty of the churches, to have a godly care over such members, and to judge prudently and faithfully of the uselulness of their exercises. And after a fair trial, if any should appear unpr-ofitable, to foibear them in love ; if any mischievous, to stop them; and if any should be found nseful in any degree, encourage them, and v.hen their profiting is manifest at home, commend them to the neighboring churches and ministers. " Thirdly. Let the ministers in the churches, especially the pas- tors, be careful to notice and encourage such licentiates in the exer- cise of their gifts, and in connexion with the churches, endeavor to prepare and ripen them for ordination, so that their profiling may appear to all, and that they are, in the office of gospel ministers, workmen not to be ashamed.^^ " Resemblances and Differences between church auOiority^ and that of an Association.^^ "I. Resemblatjces. — 1. Church authority is cotnpetent, in a judgment of charity, to receive or refuse any, who apply for mem- bership, according to the requirements of the gospel — so the Associ- ation has the right to judge of the soundness of any church, applying for reception, and to receive or refuse her accordingly, in conformity with the bonds of Associaiional union. " 2. The church by her authority is bound in duty to watch over and preserve her ir.embers in purity of faith and practice according to godliness — so the "Association has power to keep a jealous guard APPENDIX. 455 over the churches in union, to preserve them in unity and peace, according to the covennnted rules of agreement. " 3. Church authority is restricted to the members of her o\ body — so the Association has power over no church, beyond those of her own connexion. " 4. Church authority can do nothing but what is in accordance with the plain dictates of God's word — so an Association is bound to exercise her power by the principles of scicred morality, in viola- tion of no scripture requirement. But — " II. DiFFEUKNCLS. — 1. Church authority is from Christ, as Head and'King alone; but that of an Association is from the churches only. " i?. Church authority extends to every member individuaUy ; but that of an Association has nothing to do with the government of individuals, as such, but regards churches alone, according to the articles of union. *' 3. Church authority is competent to the examination of refrac- tory members — to deliver them to Satan — to render them as heathen men or publicans; but an Association has no excommunicatory au- thority — no, not of a church I This belongs to Christ, as Head eX' clusively. See Rev. 2:5. 3 : Ui. No church. Association, or ec- clesiastical body, has any power to exconnminicate , or iiijiire, or unchurch a church of Clirist; or even to dissolve one. 1 his last act can only be done by the mutual consent of the members, by whose will alone they were constituted a church. " 4. Church authority extends over ministers. The church has primary and final jurisdiction over them as members. She alone can call them out, and (by the aid of a presbytery) ordain them ; and for false doctrines or immoral conduct, stop them from preaching and even excommunicate iliem; but an Association has no power over a mijfcster to call, ord;iin, censure, stop, or exclude him, but only through the authority of the church of which he is a member. " 5. Church authority commands her members, and for disobe- dience disciplines them ; but an Association can act only, as an ad- visory council to the cliurches in cases of difficulty." Ministerial aid not absolutely necessary at the constitution of a church, or an association. " We have never seen one syllable on the subject of a presbytery for the constitution of a churcli or an association. And never till h\tely knew that it wtis sine q'la non to either being received as or- derly bodies. We have no objection to ministers attending tlie con- stitution of churches and associations, as a matter of expediency ; but to make their presence and office indispensable, is to set up a regulation nowhere to be found in scripture, and consequently to be prudent above what is written. What constitutes, in our judgment, any number of believers in Christ a church, is their coming together into one body, according to the rules and faith of the gospel. And wheresoever any body of professed christians is found so walking to- gether, they should be acknowledged and received as a true church. And when any number of gospel churches agree to be united into one body, to act more efficiently in the cause of God, they should be received into correspondence unhesitatingly." CORRECTIONS. As this volume has been passing through the press, the printer has made a few mistakes, none of them however of much importance. The principal one noticed in the following list (with perhaps one or two others) resulted from the oversight of the Writer when correcting his materials for the press. On page 16, bottom line, for North Carolina, read Wilkes County. Page 58, bottom line, for church, read churches. Page 101, 4th line from top, for 9tA verse, read 8th verse. Page 107, for S. L. Brooks, read I. L. Brookes. Page 137, 7th line from top, for contribute, read contributed. Page 158, 9th line from bottom, for identifying himself in, read identify- ing himself with. Page 176, 7th line from bottom, for Medway, read Midway. Page 241, 2d line from top, for resolved, read revolved. Page 257, 13th line from bottom, for goodly discipline, read godly disci- pline. Page 436, the printer by mistake omitted the letter v.hich .should de- signate Appendix C. Date Due H "" ' '^■'ttif K Tf? j^ .^HgP"^ t^^-- 1 fl fl J 1 s ^ '^^^H 1 '■ ''i^^^l fl 1