THE
LIFE ANP SERVICES
REV. JOHN E. DAWSON, D. D.
BT BIS SI3TSB;
OVERS. A.: F. HII/D..
*
.Author of " House-Keeping Made Easy."
" Faiuo i a thoroughly worthless thing for the man himself, but gratifies surrlvors to find that one whom they lored and rerered h8 not gone to hi*
without his merits being, mt any nte, partially recogniied and commcniom" It always makes the world a little better to become acquainted with a man ufr teal worth and force of character."
BTEAM PBISTINO HOUSE,. J. J. TOOK, Publisher.
1872.

CONTENTS OF CHAPTERS.
I.--Introductory......... ......................................................... 7 II.--Early Day--1805 to 1827................................................ III.--Early Religions Life and Characteristics--1827 to 1834......... 19 IV.--Ordination and Settlement--1834-'o5_................_............. S5
I
V.--Second Marriage and First Pulpit Erperience--1835............... 41 VL--1836.............--....._................................................ 47 VII.--Moves to LaGrange--Becomes Principal of an Academy--
Anecdotes--Settlement in Columbus--His Oratory--1835 to 1848.......................__............ ............:............ 59 VIII.--Goes on a Mission to Keir Orleans--Besigns charge of the Columbus Chnrck--1848 to 1856-............--.................. 79 IX.--Dr.league'sBeminisoences--1856to 1859........................... 93 X.--1859 to ---__....._.._.........................................'......103 1 XI.--Editorial Career--Sermon--Declining Health--End of Labor --1859 to I860......................-.'................................. 11 XII.--His Death--1860..........................................................135
--Dr. DeVotie'g Sermon, preached at the funeral of Dr. Dawson .............................................................148

PREFACE.
" The memories of the saints are precious to God, and thereTore they ought to be BO to us; and such persons who served God 3>y holy living, industrious preaching, and religious dying, ought to have their name* preserved in honor, and God be glorified in them, and their holy doctrines and lives; published and imitated."--JERKMT

^. ^ ^ \5 ,

5HEN we look over the tract of the ages since Incarnate Perfection walked the earth, the retro spect is darkened by many a cloud of incon sistency--of worldliness, and even of crime--among His professed followers. To ill-informed or ill-judging minds, these errors of nominal Christians throw an aspect of suspicion around the divine origin of our most holy Taith. But this sceptical suggestion is repelled, for the more thoughtful, by recorded examples of saintly excel lence. In every generation there have been believers, according to the deepest sense of that term--men who lived by their faith in Jesus--who fulfilled afresh the saying of Buddha, " Good people shine from afar, Tike the snowy mountains." " Full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," they, by what they were, not only attested, but (in the strong.phrase of the Apostle) " adorned, .the doc trine of God our Saviour." They proved it true; they showed it beautiful. And as we review the nineteen , centuries of Christianity, out of the very bosom of the blackness with which the inconsistencies of her sons so often shroud the Church,
" Still shines the light of holy fires, Like slur-beams over doubt;
Eioh sainted memory, Christ-like, drives ome dark possession out.'

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LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

How greatly might this decisive argument for the truth and power of the gospel have been strengthened, if Oblivion had not been allowed to swallow up the remembrance of multitudes, of whom it may be said, " While they lived, they shone!" How bright many an epoch which now seems obscure and barren spiritually, may grow, when the disclosures of the last day bring out the names which ought to have been preserved and were not, surrounded with the halo of " the work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God, even our Father!"
Biographical memorials of departed saints become a duty, therefore, on the part of those who survive them. The following pages, (I venture to believe,) ought to have been written, as an humble contribution toward that testimony to the divine efficacy of the Christian faith--to the living of Christ anew in the lives of those who serve Him. I cannot deem, it the partial judgment of sisterly affection, that the annals of our religion would be, in some sort, the richer, for even an Imperfect portraiture of the character of one, whose example declares how a vital union with Christ can consecrate to Him the powers for which the world mightily pleads, with facilities for the acquisition of wealth, with the prestige of genius, and with the flattering incense of popular applause. Surely such a life-lesson should not be lost. I have done, in my weakness, what I could to preserve it.

CHAP. I.
INTRODUCTORY.
"Shall their deeds, and their days be forgotten, or lft to glimmer in the dim twilight of tradition?"

BORE than ten years have elapsed since the death lof the REV. JOHN E. DAWSON. Much has been said and written upon the subject of having a more lasting memorial of his eminent services to the cause of Christ, than mere newspaper sketches, yet noth ing has been done.
This omission has resulted mainly from the distracted, impoverished condition of the country, and not that those services were unappreciated. To some it may even now seem an imprudent venture, but very soon those who could perform the work will have passed from the stage of life, and nothing will ibe left to per petuate his memory--if it lives at all--but traditionary . recollections, which usually combine with some truths much that is false.
To rescue a beloved brother's memory from obliv ion--to give a bright illustration of the power of god liness to strengthen and elevate the character--"to make men better and wiser--to console the afflicted--to add daylight to sunlight, by making the happy happier; to teach the young and*gracious of every age to think,' to feel, and therefore to become more actively good,

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LIFX OF JOHN X. DAWSON.

and more securely virtuous"--are the motives, which have influenced me to undertake this labor of love.
Friends have placed me under heavy obligations by valuable contributions of letters, incidents, and dates. If the work at all meets public expectation, it will be largely due to their assistance. Unaided, I could not have accomplished what has beea done.

j

CHAP. II.
EARLY DAYS----FROM 1805 TO l82/.
" How many, many memories Sweep o'er my spirit now."
JOHN EDMONDS DAWSON was the second * child, and oldest son, of Maj. John E. Dawson and Annabella Bunvell, his wife. In the beginning of this century, they moved from Virginia to Georgia, and' settled in Washington county, near the Oconee river ^ having for their neighbors and intimate friends the Boykins, Howards, Rutherfords, Whitakers, ,Canteysr Blounts, etc. I remember with gratification that Col.. Wms. Rutherford once rode twenty miles out of his way to visit--as he expressed it--"the daughter of his old friend, Maj. Dawson." Nothing he liked so well totalk of, as the open-hearted Virginia hospitality he had enjoyed in my parents' house, and their exemplary con>duct in all the relations of life. After residing in Washington county for several years, being attracted by the fresh, fertile lands of Morgan county, my father bought and moved to a plantation situated on Little Indian creek, four miles from Madison. The country, in its early settlement, was unhealthy, and my father lived only a short time after his removal. He died in 1811, leaving a widow and five children--twoaons and three daughters. The subject of this memoir was born March 7tbr 1805, in Washington county.
2

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LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

It will be perceived that at a very tender age he was left to the care and influence of his mother, a. person of decided piety, and uncommon intelligence.
Does not the poet speak truth when he says,

" The mother In her office holds the key Of the soul, and she it is who stamps
The coin f character?"

This pious mother lived to see the seed she had sown in her young son's heart, grow and expand into blossoms of rare fragrance and beauty.
Our home was one of love and refinement Oh! how often, as the storms of life beat upon me, have I sought momentary refuge from its pitiless peltings in the home and amid the haunts of olden time. The magic wand of memory, by a touch, transports me to the fairy-land of my childhood.

"Nerer grass was seen, so rich or so green,

As the grass that grew up there."

^



How true it is that,

" The hills are dearest, which our youthful feet Hare climbed the earliest. And the streams most sweet, Are ever those at which onr young lips drank; Stooped to their waters o'er the grassy bank."

In these "swift-winged visions," I see again the dear faces of those long since gone down to the grave, and hear the melody of their voices, sweeter to the ear of memory than Ihe music of "Apollo's Lute."
I remember my brother first as a fair-haired, blue-eyed, handsome boy, gentle and affectionate, but full of fun and frolic. In vain I tax my memory to recall one unkind word ever spoken to his sisters, which was remarkable in one of his impulsive disposition; at a very early age lie seemed to feel that he was the natural protector of his fatherless sisters.

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

II

He was a generous, unselfish boy. In proof of this I will relate one of many instances of his generosity, which to others may seem trifling, but is to me a ten derly cherished reminiscence. When I was very young-- I was the youngest, and the pet of the family--my brothers and myself were boarded in Madison, and sent to school. Our guardian made each of us a weekly allowance of money. My brothers seldom used theirs until they first ascertained what "little Sis" would like to have, and gratfied her wishes. Their money was. usually placed at my disposal. Those who knew the subject of this memoir well, in manhood, will recognize in this incident a prominent feature in his character, and will trace " the growth of the man, from the germ in the boy."
I pause to pay a slight tribute to the memory of my youngest brother, two years my senior--Annstead Burwell Dawson--who died in Mississippi in 1855, Judge of the Superior Court, and a Deacon in the Baptist Church. Just before he breathed his last 'he raised his eyes to Heaven and exclaimed:
"I am going home--going home." k The piety, character and triumphant deaths of my brothers were not more lovely and marked than those of my sisters. May I but meet them on that happy shore!
For several years .my brother John continued at school in Madison, under the tuition of Mr. Augustus Alden, son-in-law to Gov. Lumpkin. A highly interesting let ter, received from Mr. Alden, will give my brother1* status at school:
FROM MR. ALDEN TO THE AUTHORESS.
'"I was invited to take charge of the Madison Academy in the year 1819. Among the fint pupils entered wa

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LIFE OF JOHK E. DAWSOK-

your lamented brother, John. Trained by a pious, highly accomplished mother, I found him from the first, gentle, obedient and manly in his deportment. Although extremely sensitive, he was free from malice, and was ever ready to forget and forgive. At that period my school was composed of an unusual number of youths of great promise, and who subsequently attained eminence in the discharge of the high and responsible duties of life. In this number, John E. i Dawson was conspicuous. Although younger than most of his classmates and companions, he was far from being behind them in scholarship and intellectual attainments.
" Having for a yeas or two pursued an English course of study, in which he made remarkable proficiency, he then, with about twenty others, entered upon a pre paratory course for college. I can fcever revert to that class without pride and satisfaction. Among its mem bers were the Wittichs, Flournoy, Franklin, Pearman, Wellborn, Dawson, and my own lamented brother. Of this class I have often heard it remarked, it was difficult to be excelled in talents and respectability. An unusual degree of emulation existed among them for distincttion, and I well recollect that in the grade of merit which was adopted, your brother stood among the first five. He was amiable in disposition, and at the .same time ambitious to excel in whatever he undertook. Composition was a weekly exercise of my pupils; he in this duty took especial interest, and although at first his efforts were crude and imperfect, in the progress of . time, and by dint of practice, he acquired a ready, pleas ing style. Few excelled him in this oranch.
"Soon after organizing my school, the young men composing it, at my suggestion, formed themselves into

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

13

a. Debating Society, named " Brothers in Unity." This society continued in existence during the five years of my connection with the Institution. It proved a most excellent means for the development of mind, and laid, as I doubt not, the foundation of that distinction which several of its members attained in subsequent life, as preachers, lawyers and legislators. In this Society your brother took aa active part. He continued with me from the first to the last of my connection with the Academy. I have no recollection of his ever ^wilfully violating the rules of the school, or evincing toward me other thaa the kindest feelings and most respectful deportment If ever reproved on any account-he showed, with more than maiden modesty, his sensitiveness, by a slight blush, and all was over; no resentment lurked behind. He preferred as associates the refined and intel ligent; was fond of amusements, but not thoce which were demoralizing in their tendency. The foregoing, my dear madam, is only a brief sketch of what I can recollect of your brother's school-boy days : more than forty years having elapsed since then. Of the many hundreds who have received my instruction, it is only of those who in the school-room gave evidence of future distinction, I have cherished any distinct recollection. The course and career of John E. Dawson I ever followed with peculiar pride *nd interest."
After Mr. Alden left Madison, brother was sent to a school of distinction, taught by Mr. Beman, of Mt. Zion, Hancock county. I think he .did not remain very long .at this place.
In my brother's school-boy days there was very little to stimulate a youth, in easy circumstances, to hard' fitudy. " Education had not begun to assume a learned form." Books, magazines* literary papers, were scarce;

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LIFE OF JOHK E. DAWSON.

thoroughly educated men more so. Urged by his mother to take a regular collegiate course and enter one of the learned professions, he declined, after making some preparation to do so, deeming the excellent training he had already received-sufficient for a planter. It was ta him a life-long regret that he decided so unwisely. At this period of his life, he greatly needed the advice and control of such a father as his was.
The most noticeable indication my brother gave of decided ability was in the direction of oratory. Nature had conferred upon him, in an eminent degree, a winning voice, a grace of utterance, a felicitous use of words, joined to an attractive person and an easy, courtly address, that made his boyish elocution beautiful. It sends a thrill of pleasure to my heart now, across this long interval of time, as I remember the thundering plaudits which followed his favorite speech, " Emmet's. Defence." .
. He had large capacities for social enjoyment; and a moderate fondness for the " trappings of life." I am not aware that he ran into any very gross excesses, but he seemed, when first entering life, to have no higher ambi tion than to lead a humming-bird existence, sucking deep into the flowers of life for their honied sweets. It was a pointless, aimless life, made up of trifles. Fond of the society of ladies, he had the good sense to culti vate this taste. This, with the excellent home influence under which he had been raised1, no doubt saved him from gross excesses. Next to religion, there is no stronger safeguard to a young man's morals than the friendship and society of virtuous, intelligent women.
When about the age of eighteen, his mother, who had contracted a second marriage with Mr. D. W. Porter, (to whom I was much attached,) was again left a widow.

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

15

r
Much of his time was spent upon her plantation, giving

such aid as his youth and inexperience permitted.

His appearance at this time is thus described by the

Rev. Marshall J. Wellborn, in a letter to me:

" It is very fresh in my thoughts, meeting your brother

at Tirzah church, Putnam county, on a bright Sabbath

morning in the summer of ,1822. He had driven from

his residence in Morgan county to meet the worship of

the day at Tirzah. Just entered upon manhood, in stature

he was slightly tall, erect, round, and of rather slender

build. His head and face were well modeled, his com

plexion clear and ruddy, his hair auburn \nd wavy, and

his manner lively. He would have been accepted in any

company for an elegant person. His equipage,- his

apparel, and his conversation, exhibited him as a man of

stylish and expensive tastes. But this, the hey-day of

his highly sensitive and then unrenewed nature, was

soon to be graciously superseded."

In 1825, December 15th, when only nineteen years

old, the subject of this memoir was married to Miss

Eliza Walker, only daughter of Mr. John Walker, of

Morgan county. Her brothers are Isaac, Edmond, and

John B. Walker. On the maternal side she was a grand

daughter of Rev. John Byne, a Baptist minister, of Burke

county, Georgia.

Settling upon a plantation joining Mr. Walker's, he

engaged, with all the energy of his nature in agricultural

pursuits. Under the tutelage of his father-in-law, who

was a successful planter, and aided by the superior

domestic management of his wife, he prospered and

accumulated property.



From a letter received from Col. John B. Walker, I

make the following extracts:.

"From 1825, the year of my sister's marriage, until

l6

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

i
1843, I associated with our brother almost daily, as one

of the dear friends of my youtlrand early manhood. In all his farming, and other business arrangements, he

evinced a skill and judgment far beyond his experience.

He was devoted to his farm and family, and was one of the most useful men in his neighborhood. I must men tion a little incident which exhibited his kindness and ' forbearance to one of his neighbors. One day in August, the mules and horses from John's plantation got into

the corn-field of old Johnny H---- (called by his

acquaintances, Uncle Johnny). On finding the stock in his corn-field, Mr. H---- turned them into one of Dawson's corn-fields. When Dawson found out the fact, he addressed the following note to his neighbor:

'"DEAR UNCLE JOHNNY,--Your kind attentions to my mules, in placing them in the best corn-field in the

neighborhood, deserves my thanks; and after this kind act, if you had given me notice of it, I should have

regarded it as more neighborly and more entirely up to the " golden rule" than I now view it.'

" He was," continues Col. Walker, " fond of a good

hor^e, and treated all domestic animals with care and humanity. So long as he devoted himself to his farm ing interests, his success was fully equal to the wishes and expectations of his relatives and friends. He was not only energetic, tbut systematically industrious, and was emphatically never behind in any of the affairs of life, whether of great or small moment. I was intimately associated with him over twenty years, and I am sure I could not tell what his faults were. The only weak point I ever discovered in his character--and ' even this

weakness leaned to virtue's side'--was over-genert>sity,

injustice to himself, not to his family or friends.

" I could write you much of his ardor, the zeal, the

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSOM.

17

impulses of his Christian temper after his conversion; how he forgave and blessed those who despitefully used him. Ne wonder he could exclaim in his last moments, 'The Lord encampeth round about me.'
" I must not omit to mention his conduct as a son-inlaw. My mother, as you know, was a confirmed invalid for more than a year previous to her death, and required constant attention. The most devoted, unremitting care, was lavished upon her by her affectionate son-in-law. After her death, the same kind thoughtful attentions were given to the bereaved husband."
This is the testimony of one who was intimately acquainted with my brother John's every-day life, and before whom there was never the least reserve.
The monotonous routine of a planter's life seldom furnishes striking incidents, and this case formed no exception. Full of life and vivacity; a kind and affec tionate husband; a tender, devoted father; I may say pleasant in all the relations of life, John E. Dawson's heart was a " nest of the kindliest affections, that needed no stirring incidents to .make manifestations of kindness and good will."
I do not seek to make the impression that he was that " faultless monster the world ne'er saw "--on the contrary, he ha'd foibles of character, peculiar to persons of highly sensitive, nervous temperament. He had a keen apprecia tion of the ridiculous and pretentious, and a power of sar casm, at times irrepressible; but withal a sweetness and nobility of disposition which made him frank to acknowl edge, and prompt to mollify, wounds incautiously made. At this period of his life, the future seemed all sunshine; no darkling shadows were cast by coming events, warn ing him that he was soon to meet, face to face, the most important event of his life.

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LIFE OF JOHK E. DAWSON.

The time was near at hand in the providence of God when the crust of worldliness that encased his heart was to be broken through; when he must be led by th^ Spirit to seek for incorruptible riches, and when he must labor for nobler ends than mere worldly acquisitions.
fc The Holy Spirit, brooding o'er his aoul, Did warm to life the germs of holiness And zeal, implanted, tbere by God Himsell"

t
CHAP. III. \
EARLY RELIGIOUS LIFE AND CHARACTERISTICS----FROM
1827 TO 1834.
"Loag suffering and most patient God, Thou needest to be surelier God to bear with us, Than even to have made us."
!>N the summer of 1827--a lew months previous to 'mymarriage--I made my Brother's family a pro tracted visit. The eye of affection was not slow to discover that a change had come over him--his sprightliness was gone; at times his face wore a mournful sad ness, which he was at pains to conceal. Upon the minds of those who loved him best there was a painful doubt and uncertainty as to the cause. I will here record, as a faithful biographer, that my brother semetimes interlarded his conversation with anoath; but I noticed that this habit was now abandoned. This, however, bore no* higher signification to my mind than a change for the better in his manners, and so> I said: " Brother John's manners have improved; he is deci dedly more genteel." It may seem strange that one so refined, and so piously raised, should have contracted so coarse a habit; but swearing was one of the fashionable vices of that day, giving " confirmation strong" of the innate depravity of human nature. Being at that time a stranger to the operations of the

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LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

Holy Spirit, I failed to perceive the state of the case, in this lopping off of a sinful habit, and the truth only dawned upon my mind when I saw that the Bible formed almost his only reading, and that he pored over its sacred pages with an eager, anxious expression of coun tenance. There was not a religious gathering, of any denomination, within any reasonable distance that he did not attend. I have gone with him five miles, on horse back, to night meetings. Though he said nothing to give a clue to his feelings, I knew he was seriously, reso lutely, seeking the salvation of his soul, and that the troubled look of his hitherto happy, joyous face was from a sense of condemnation on account of sin. Never was pardon sought in vain as he sought it There was no faltering of purpose. Judging from his conduct, he felt that the great want of his life was the want of religion. This state of mind continued, growing in depth and intensity, until that Association, memorable in the annals of the church, held at Antioch, Morgan county, in September, 1827.
The first sermon, upon the occasion, was preached by
the Rev. Ad&el Sherwood. The opening seemed unpromising. The text was: " Great is Diana of the Ephesians," enunciated in the speaker's own original, peculiar style, when an old colored person, sitting in the rear of the pulpit, commenced shouting with all her strength of lungs. The demonstration seemed ill-timed and uncalled for, but the human heart has many strings, and they vibrate to strange, mysterious touches. ' The effect of this outburst was ludicrousl There was a per ceptible smile upon the faces of the congregation, and a trying-to-look-proper expression upon the countenances of the ministers, such as I have seen on the faces of school urchins, when suspected of munching apples.

LIFE OF JOHN V. DAWSON.

21

cracking nuts, or some such school immoralities. This soon passed away, and as the minister warmed into his subject, treating it wisely in his concise, nervous way, uttering solemn truths softened by pathetic touches, the Spirit of the Lord seemed to move upon the hearts of the people. In the close of the services, while the con gregation stood to sing the last hymn, an invitation was given to persons desiring the prayers of God's people to come up to " the altar." Attracted by a movement in the outskirts of the assembly, I turned and sair my brother making his way with rapid strides to the place of prayer. His wife, standing by my side, as she saw her husband thus advancing, sank upon her seat as if struck by an invisible power, and (to use her' own expression) with these words sounding in her ears, as if uttered by an audible voice--"one shall be taken, tfte other left." It was the beginning of a work of grace in her heart that resulted in conversion.
The words of pardon were not then spoken to His almost despairing soul. I think it was on the second day of the meeting, during recess, while the people were engaged taking refreshments, that my brother--after pro viding for the comfort of his guests--with his wife, stole away to a retired part of the woods to spend the time in prayer. While thus engaged, the change from death unto life occurred, and deliverance from the burden of sin came. I do not know that he spoke of his new-born joy to any one except his wife; but the expression of his countenance was so changed, that upon meeting hi eldest sister, a very pious person, she said: " Brother, you have good news to tell me, or rather your face tells it for you." By his life, and in his death, he proved the soundness of his conversion. To him the .name of Jesus* was ever " as precious ointment poured forth."

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tIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

A letter from Mr. James 'Clarke, of Atlanta, an eye witness to all he relates, enables me to give a thrilling account of some interesting events which occurred at the period ef his conversion. .
tETTER FROM MR. JAMES XXARKE.
"ATLANTA, ------, 1869. " I learn that you are engaged in writing the memoirs of your late brother, Rev. John E. Dawson. You have engaged in a good work. Every effort that shall bring to the minds of the present or rising generation the zeal in, and consecration of that good man to, the best of all causes, must be a service well-pleasing to the Great Head of the church, as it holds up to the admiration and imitation of the living the bright example of the sainted dead. I cheerfully contribute my mite to this laudable undertaking. "Of your brother, before his connection with the church, I knew but little. I had occasionally met him at watering and other public places. He exhibited every appearance of being a gay, volatile, high-spirited young man; singularly fascinating in his' manners, devoted to the pleasures and amusements of the present world. "At the session of the Ocmulgee Association, which met at the Antioch Church, I met Mr. Dawson. Many of the events of that Association I can never forget. It took place in the midst of a great revival of religion which commenced in that year at Eatonton, Ga., and which spread -with great intensity throughout the State. Indeed, that Association may be said to have been, in an important sense, but an adjournment or continuation of the Eatonton meeting, as all the fervor and fire, and all the working material-ofthat meeting were transported to Antioch, to be laid out and expended before listening

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

23

thousands. I shall never forget the train of carriages, and the ardent and earnest Christian ministers, who \' moved on as if animated by one mind, to the place set apart for this great and glorious meeting of God's people. Shannon, Shenvood, Thomas Cooper, Jeremiah Clark, were of the company, while a great number of the brethren and sisters of other churches contributed to swell the throng of hopeful, rejoicing followers of the blessed Saviour. Many of them were new converts--all singing, by the way, the sweet songs of Zion. When we arrived on the ground, we were met at once by a congenfal spirit in the person of the Pastor of the church, Rev. Edmund Shackelford.
"Seldom has there been a meeting for the worship of God where the prayers of His people seemed so fervent for the conversion of souls; and seldom has there been m this, our beloved Southern land, a meeting where there were such copious ffusions of Divine grace, or more signal trophies of Divine glory. Even the first -day's service witnessed an earnest and numerous application of convicted and mourning souls for the prayers of Christians. '
"The first day's services concluded, homes, as usual, were to be provided in the neighborhood for the nume rous visitors and delegates from a distance. And here ft was that the beloved Dawson first attracted my especial interest and attention. He invited me, with several other of my Eatonton friends, to the house of his father-in-law. When we arrived at the comfortable home of Mr. Walker, we found'the family absent, and the place in charge of your brother and his estimable lady. The house was crowded with company, most of them pro fessing Christians, and under a mighty revival influence. After supper was over, and the hour for retiring .ap-

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LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

proached, Mr. Dawson manifested great restlessness; he showed a consciousness of there being something for'him to do, and yet in. doubt as to what he should do. After some hesitation, he asked me if it would be proper for him to propose family prayer. That was the first inti mation I received that John E. Dawson was interested in the solemn scenes and services by which he was sur rounded. I had just joined the church, and, as I trust, a new song had been put in my mouth. I, of course, hailed with joy this evidence of interest m a subject so important, and warmly encouraged and sustained him in his desire for family worship. This was the end of all reserve. It became, during the remainder of the meet ing, a house consecrated to the service and worship of God; filled from night to night with songs, prayers, ser mons, and religious effort. In that house saints rejoiced and sinners were converted. I remember with peculiar pleasure one case of the latter; a young man just from college, who afterwards acquired considerable dis tinction in the civil service of the State--the late Hon. James Merriwether. On the last evening of our assem blage, Mr. Merriwether, who had seemed much inter ested throughout the meeting, professed conversion in the midst of loud rejoicing, and thanksgiving to God.
"After the Association adjourned, the meeting was pro tracted. There was a great ingathering of souls. I heard of your brother as an active laborer for God. He seems, like the great Apostle of the Gentiles, to have at once buckled on his armor and commenced the good fight of faith, which was never to end until he received his Master's summons to ' come up higher." A power ful revival of religion sprung up all around him, in which he was an active, living, moving, spirit--exhorting and persuading his neighbors with an unction and energy

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

25

peculiar to himself. That year I visited a school-house where prayer-meetings were held, near his residence, in Morgan county. I found the building crowded to over flowing, In the midst of a most excited assemblage, John E. Dawson was present, animated with the utmost zeal and fervor, speaking forth ' thoughts which breathed in words that burned." A large- part of the crowd pressed up to him for prayer, and most earnestly and importunately did he pray for the people. Well do I remember his fervent supplications for your conversion.
" I afterwards removed to a different part of the State, and my knowledge of your brother up to the time of his death was only such as was common to the religiou8 public. He became, as we all know, an eminent and successful Minister of Jesus Christ. His praise was in all the churches."
The Indian Creelc Church, being more convenient to my brother's residence than the Antioch, he, with his wife, joined the former, both churches being under the pastoral care of Rev. Edmund Shackelford. I give the following extracts from the Minutes of the Indian Creek Church, to show that from the first he enjoyed the con fidence1 of his brethren, and that he engaged actively and earnestly in whatever tended to promote the glory of God and the interest of the Church. " Whatever his hands found to do, he did with all his might"'
" Sept 22d, 1827.--The church met; sermon by Rev. Edmund Shackelford. After the sermon, conference was opened, when Mrs. Eliza Dawson and Mr. John E. Dawson offered themselves to the church by experience. They were cordially received.
EDMUND WALKER, Church Clerk.
"Dec. 22d, 1827.--Church met and appointed a day 3

26

.

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

for the colored brethren to hold Conference. Five of the white male members were appointed to meet with and assist them, viz: James Fears, Edmund Walker, John Vason, John E. Dawson and Wm. Willis."
March 22d, 1828.--Church met Conference opened. Rev. E. Shackelford, Moderator. Elected Bro. John E. Dawson, Clerk."
This revival at Antioch--to which allusion has been made--for genuineness and solemnity, far surpassed any thing of the kind I have ever witnessed. Sabbath after Sabbath the congregations assembled on the banks of Little river to witness the baptism of men and women, gray-haired and middle-aged, and those just entering upon the duties of life. The pastor seldom failed to call upon "Brother Dawson" to pray for mourners and exhort sinners. I never saw him refuse, and well do I remember his warm gushing petitions and'the melting cadence of his voice as he told of the love of God mani fested by His sending the dear Saviour to die.
' The impression upon the minds of those who heard him was that " the Master had need of him," in that highest, holiest, vocation beneath the sun, viz: the work of winning souls to Christ. Strong as his convictions were that it was his duty to engage actively as a laborer in the Lord's vineyard, there were impediments in his way. The precarious condition of his wife's health, and the claims of his young children, could not be set aside.
An extract from a letter I received from Rev. J. H. Campbell will best explain his feelings at this time:
PROM REV. J. H. CAMPBELL.
" In the spring of 1832 the Georgia Baptist'Convention was held at Powelton. Here I met Brother Dawson; he was a delegate. We spent one memorable

tlFE (OF JOHN E. UAWSON.

. 2?

night together, nearly the whole of which was consumed in'conversing upon his call to the ministry, for he had not then commenced that noble work for which his noble heart so earnestly yearned. I learned from him, how ever, that from the day he had experienced God's for giving mercy the fire of the Lord had 'been in jhis bones, and was then as it were consuming his flesh." "
Rev. Adiel Sherwood, to whom my brother was greatly indebted for sympathy and encouragement in the beginning of his ministerial career, and to whom he freely unbosomed himself, informs me that " when urged by his brethren to no longer delay performing his duty in regard to preaching the Gospel, he seemed to fear he would ' run before he was .sent' of the Lord. He trembled at the vast responsibility."
Before entering the ministry, the name of John E. Davvson was identified with all the leading interests of the denomination.
Rev. J. H. Campbell--himself a participant--gives valuable information upon this subject: "I met Bro.. Dawson sat the session of the Ocmulgee Association, held at Harmony Church, Putnam county, Georgia, in the Fall of 1830. <It was then and there that said Asso ciation resolved to withdraw from the Baptist Conven tion. On this question the best talents in the church were arrayed in opposition. In the front rank- of those favorable to the Convention were John E. Dawson and Mark A. Cooper--both young men. They showed themselves men of no ordinary ability. I shall never forget the impression made upon my mind by Dawson's first speech. Being a yotjng member, he> seemed to restrain himself as long ^is he could, but was finally brought to his feet in reply to Rev. James Henderson, .the Moderator, and leader of the anti-missionary and

28

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSOJf.

anti-Convention party. As was his wont, even in hfs greatest efforts, he hesitated and stammered for a few moments, but he was full of his subject, and presently there flowed from his lips such a stream of eloquence as for the time bore everything before it. The effect of that speech was such that the opponents of the Conven tion found great difficulty in rallying their men to vote the Association out of the Convention; which was, however, done. The most unfortunate act the Ocmulgee ever performed."
Rev. C. D. Mallary, in his life of Rev. Jesse Mercer, makes an interesting statement of the condition of the Baptist churches at this time:
"The years 18.27 and 1828 were signalized by a remarkable outpouring of the Spirit upon many of the churches, and by uncommonly large and rapid acces sions to their numbers. This period of unexampled prosperity was followed by extraordinary efforts on the part of the adversary of the churches to sow the' tares of strife and confusion. A great reaction in the zeal of many of Christ's ministers and people seems to have taken place; those continued and well-directed means which are so essential to perpetuate and multiply the happy results of powerful revivals of religion were greatly neglected, and of course we need not be much surprised that the efforts of the enemy were so sadly and extensively successful. * * * A disposition on the part of some of the Associations 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 Baptists of, Georgia. The encroach ments of Associations were met with prompt resistance on the part of many of the churches, mingled oftentimes,

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

2Q

no doubt, with a spirit not the most ' lovely and con ciliatory.' The anti-missionary spirit, which had been operating for years,'burst forth in great violence, and by its non-fellowship policy increased the work of strife and confusion. Under such peculiar circumstances, import ant duties devolved upon the intelligent and influential members of the denomination. It was necessary to place in a clear and convincing light the established principles of the denomination, and wherein those prin ciples had been lost sight of." And who were the men whom God had appointed to this arduous work ? Let the names of Mercer, Saunders, Sherwood, Campbell, Mallary, Dawson, Thornton, Hillyer, Travis, Posey, and others, be held in reverence by Southern Baptists. We are--as a denomination--in our influence and progress, reaping the fruits of their toil.
"Shall their Seeds, ancTtheir days.be forgotten?"
Upon the subject of the dissensions in the churches, Rev. C. D. Mallary continues: "Many important and vital questions arose that it was important to have settled, upon Scriptural ground; discussion seemed absolutely necessary, and though there was often mingled with it a degree of severity and bitterness that could not be justi fied, yet in result it was evident that much light had been thrown upon subjects which before had been imperfectly understood, and that many of the churches were set tling down in a quiet, stable manner upon more scriptu ral principles."
It is admitted by all who knew anything of his course, and the peculiar condition of the churches at that time, that no man contributed more, both as layman and preacher, to give "form and life" to those important movements that have been so great a blessing to the denomination .in Georgia than the subject of this

3O

LJFK OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

biography. Circumstances forced him into- controversyIt was altogether distasteful to him. He had a zeal for truth that made him intolerant of error, but no sympathy with bigotry. In attacking error " he spared no arrows."
"In 1834, Feb. ist," says Rev. J. H. Campbell, in hisGeorgia Baptists, " a few brethren who had suffered much in feeling for their Master's sake, met at Indian Creek meeting house for the purpose of constituting a new Association. The name ' Central' was adopted on ac-count of its geographical position in the State. The delegates from the Indian Creek Church were James Fears and John E. Dawson.
" This Association recognized and" approved of Sab bath schools, missions, the education of Ministers, Bible, tract and temperance societies; to these it pledges hearty co-operation, but fellowship will n'ot be disturbed with any member wJio does not feel it his duty to contribute to their support. The anti-missionaries declared non-fellowship with all benevolent societies.
" The Central Association resolved ' that though we feel it our duty, irom a sacred regard to- principle, to> secede from the Ocmulgee Association, we are ready at all time to meet them, in order to reconcile differencesthat exist; we desire union with all our brethren, but we dare not sacrifice truth and principle for union only in. name."*

*"The Anti-Missionaries denounced the 'effort system,'as they were pleased to call it, as Arminian, and opposed to predestination. They said the Missionaries undertook to do pod's work. In Tain they were told that God predestinated the meant, as well as the end,' they laughed at the use of means, and when appeals were made to the churches for money to send the Bible and' Missionaries to the heathen, they ridiculed the idea and said: ' More money to convert more souls.' This was called, by way of reproach, ' money salva-

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

3!

An Executive Committee was appointed, to which was committed the management of Domestic Missions.
From 1827 to 1834, my brother devoted himself to his planting interest, to reading and committing the Scrip tures to memory, and other mental exercises.
The pastor of the church was ingenious in finding out ways to engage the members of his church, in a careful and critical study of the Bible. ' This was before the days of Sabbath schools and Bible classes in that section of the country. The pastor would sometimes, after the close of the regular Sabbath exercises, state a doctrine of the church and ask to be furnished with passages of Scripture to prove it, and again he would give to each member a slip of paper upon which a sentence from the Bible was written, and request that the slip be returned with the verse, chapter and book written upon it, the next Sabbath. It was a pleasant and profitable exercise" to my brother's mind, and he seconded the pastor's efforts zealously and efficiently.
It has been .said, " Dr. Dawson was never a student." It may not be out of place to notice this: After the manner of the schools, perhaps he was not; but in his own way, somewhat desultory, (he was not fond of " bits and curbs,") he was a most indefatigable student I have heard him say that after his conversion he seldom left home without carrying a book, and, taking advan tage of a level road, would give the reins to his horse,

tion.' A favorite expression among them wag the ' benevolent socie ties, so-called.' We remember to have heard from one of their preachers a passage1 like this when denouncing the use of means. When God's time comes for calling His elect out of Burmab, He can send an angel like He did to save pious Lot, and who can clip the. vtngt of an angel."--Extract from Dr. Diwxm't "Mutionary Reminitcencet.

32

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

S
and himself to the study of his book. He gave a. close, critical review .to his elementary studies. For a long while his travelling companion was an English grammar, and so completely did he master the structure and phil osophy of the English language, that no one would have suspected, in the ease and elegance with which he spoke and wrote his vernacular, that "in his youth he had been careless of books." He had some acquaintance with Latin and Greek, but his knowledge of them was not remarkably profound.* His style, both as a speaker and writer, was strictly idiomatic, seldom illustrating or adorning his subjects with " classic imagery." Years after, when reverse of circumstances drove him into the school-room--an occupation for which he had no. trairting--he threw himself, heart and soul, into his duties, and in two intelligent communities, Madison, and LaGrange, gave entire satisfaction. This required an, iron steadfastness of purpose that few men possess. " The small hours of morning " usually found him poring; over kssons to be heard and explained to advanced classes that day, in the school-room. The following extract from a letter from a favorite pupil in LaGrange, Mrs. --, will corroborate the statement of his success as a teacher:
" I feel that I cannot speak in terms of too high com mendation of my dear, excellent Preceptor, your worthy brother. During the whole of my scholastic career, I

* Years after he entered the miaistiy, he gives the following expression of his regret that opportunities for intellectual improve ment had been neglected in bis youth: "OhI the folly of boys! Whn t was at school, fun and frolic too often took the place of study. But when God opened my poor heart to feel my relations to a perishing world, I began in good earnest, and by mytelf, to dig up Latin and Greak, and Logic and Theology; but after a long and hard straggle, I have just learned enough to know I am vastly igno rant. God be praised, I know as much as I do, and may He pardon me that I've learned so little."

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

33

was never associated with one more peculiarly gifted for imparting instruction to the young. In the school-room, although firm, he was ever kind, gentle, affectionate and persuasive, and untiring in his efforts to elucidate at any time perplexing subjects. So much importance did he attach to the rudimental branches of education, that in his school-room they were regularly reviewed by ad vanced classes once a week. * * * As long as life lasts will my memory turn to this wise counsellor of my youth with sentiments of the warmest affection and highest regard.
1 Green be the turf above thee, Friend of my earliest days;
None knew thes but to love thee, , None named thee but to praise.'"
My brother not only studied text books, but he studied the Bible with an earnest, reverent spirit, com paring Scripture with Scripture. Dr. Sherwood, in a letter to me, says: " I sold him some of my standard works, McKnight, Campbell's Four Gospels, and others, which he studied, not merely perused. His mind seemed to grasp a subject by intuition."
He studied subjects, never relinquishing'his hold upon one without a thorough analysis.
He studied nature. What was said of another could well be said of him. " His mind found food in all the objects of creation. Nature spake to his heart and conscience mighty words of God, and truth, and love. The universe was to him a vision of God." What he learned from books, from subjects, and from nature, was indelibly stampe'd upon a retentive memory and assimila tive mind. All he knew was entirely at his command.
By these preparatory processes, his mind was in grad ual training for the great work to which he was called.

CHAP. IV.
ORDINATION AND SETTLEMENT--
" And on him they laid the Cross, that he might bear it after Jesus."' " That Cross was the crown and joy of his life."
FTER a protracted illness, Mrs. Eliza Dawson &_ died, April I2th, 1834, leaving four children.-- 'Upon this subject her brother, Col. J. B. Walker, writes : " I was a witness of her expiring agonies. Her faith and hope in the Saviour had been strong through all her sickness ; she had been calm and resigned. Her dear husband w.ent down with' her to the dark valley as far as it was ever permitted to human love, cheering her with the sweetest, tenderest words of comfort and lo\{e, until, we trust, angel arms from the other side enfolded her iff their embracfe, and" Bore her to tha* better land."
Rev. J. B. Campbell, upon the same subject, writes:--" By this sad event^ Bro. Dawson seems to have been cut loose from the world ; in the secular affairs of which he took but little interest afterwards, except as necessity de manded."*
Disencumbering himself of every thing which could possibly hinder him from a whole-souled, undivided de votion to the work, he prepared to enter the ministry.
* The bulk of the property he had received from Mr. Walker, my brother returned, - This was a voluntary act. Upon Mr. W.' death, this and other property was given to the children.

36

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

FROM REV. M. J. WELLBORN.
Rev. M. J. Wellborn kindly permits me to place on record "a few impressions" of my brother " received in the course of a long, and not unfamilliar, intercourse." " His conversion to Christ," this brother states, " was early followed by a sense of his call to preach the Gos pel ; that his passage to the pulpit was obstructed by severe temptations, and supported by much grace, may, in part, appear by the fact reported to me by himself, that in his walk to meet his first congregation, in the distress of his soul he prostrated himself at full length on his face in prayer for Divine direction. Fully committed to his holy calling, his subordination of his interests to it was carried to an unusual extent; his private business henceforth received little attention. Indeed, it became in the latter part of his life a question with some, and with himself, whether his indifference to his pecuniary affairs had not been in a degree culpable.* The standard of Christian conduct as held up alike in his public ministra tions, and his private walk, was unusually high.
" His religious affections were tender, and strong. When drawn-out in public worship his love to Christians at times, expressed itself in quotations from the Song of Solomon; his compassion for sinners in heart-meltings and tears.
"Looking more immediately to the abilities of Dr. Dawsoh in connection with his public services; without
In reference to tbis statement of neglect of business, a near rela tive remarked, " That in his business arrangements and investments, he often sought advice from J. E. D., no one so capable of giving it; but in John's own pecuniary affairs, after he began preaching, he needed a guardian." The reason is obvious: he would find leisure from his Master's work to aid his friends, but the subject of worldly accumulations had too little interest fur him to call into action hia fine judgment and practical sense.

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSOK.

$}

deep and varied learning in the schools, his education was a clever one. To it was added considerable reading, and much intercourse with able and well-stored minds. These advantages, acting on a bright and rapid intellect, largely sanctified, constituted him an enlightened and liberal thinker. In his interpretations of Scripture, in his controversial speeches, he was listened to with at tention and respect. The interests of Education, of Christian Missions, of Sabbath Schools and Temperance, lay heavily upon his benevolent heart, and owe much to his generous advocacy. As a sermonizer, he was highly reputable; but it was in impassioned appeals to the hearts of his audience that he most excelled. Fervid, affection ate, with a happy command of language', an admirable voice, and a carriage of more than ordinary natural gracefulness; in declamation he not unfrequently rose to splendor. His faults belonged to his temperament.
" The life he has given to his Maker, and to his fellowmen, was shortened by a consuming zeal for truth, and the abundance of his pious labors."
It may not be uninteresting to add, upon the testimony of Rev. J. H. Campbell, that his first sermon was preach ed at Monroe, Walton county, during a revival of reli gion.
EXTRACTS.
The following extract from the Indian Creek church book will show that, Oct. iSth, 1834, "It was moved, seconded, and carried, by a unanimous vote, that the church license Bro. J. E. Dawson to exercise his gifts in preaching, and exhortation."
"Jan. I4th, 1855--The church met to-day by special appointment, to set apart Bro. Dawson to the great and important work of the Gospel Ministry. The Presbytery

38

LIFE OF JOHK E. DAWSON.

was composed of the Rev. Malcolm Johnson, Vincent R. Thornton, and the Pastor, Rev. Adiel Sherwood. The meeting was opened by singing j prayer by Rev. M- John son. Rev. V. R. Thornton read from ist Timothy the qualifications of a minister, and examined the church as to the fitness of the candidate. Brother Sherwood and others asked the usual questions upon the doctrines of the Old and New Testaments. The examination contin ued two hours, and was satisfactory to the Church and Presbytery.
"Thursday Morning, Jan. I5th, 1835.--The Church and Presbytery met fasting. Brother Johnson preached the ordination sermon from Jeremiah, Chapter 23d, mid dle clause of .the a8th verse: 'Let him that hath My word speak My word faithfully.' Brother Thornton prayed, Brother Sherwood gave ithe charge, Brother Thornton gave the right hand of fellowship."

His first pastoral call was from the Baptist Church at

Eatonton, to which place -he removed, and -carried his

letter, Jan. 30, 1835.



"November, 1835.--The church now in session, with a protracted meeting. Brethren Sherwood, Mallary, Campbell, Dawson present, preaching faithful and heartsearching sermons. Brother Dawson applied for a letter of dismission, which was granted."

And now, having seen this devoted servant of Christ fuTly committed to the work for which his heart had so long panted, I would gladly trace his struggles, his joys and sorrows during the first years of his life in the minis try, through letters, or journal, in his own language, but I have not been able to procure any record, except a let ter to his mother, written soon after his ordination. The letter seems to have been hastily written, with no expecta tion of its meeting other than a mother's eye.

T.IFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

39

EATONTON, February 3d, 1835. * * * I have, for the present, taken a house in Eatonton. I had some difficulty in getting here; but since I am here, and comfortably fixed, I feel much grat ification at the change. I hope the good Lord will order all for the best. My brethren have met me with the most cordial demonstrations, and I sincerely hope noth ing will occur to interrupt this state of things. I long to be useful to the church, and feel that every moment of my time not absolutely required for secular affairs, must be devoted to study, that I may be useful. In this way only can I remedy in any degree the want of systematic theological training. I know that learning alone cannot make a preacher. It is a great help, and while I am striving to cultivate my mind I shall not forget the source from whence all help comes. I sometimes feel willing to be anything if I might thereby promote the Redeem er's Kingdom. But at times this proud heart aspires* to eminence. Well, to be eminently useful is a laudable ambition. May God make me so! * * * * You will see in the Indtx an account of my ordination, and you will no doubt be gratified to know that my ex amination was satisfactory. It was very close. The Pres bytery required Scriptural proofs for every doctrine. I thank God that He enabled me to give them. Pray for me, dear mother, that I may be guided by unerring wis dom, and so, 'take heed to the ministry that I may be able to fulfill it.' Already I am assailed by anti-op position; but, thank God, the worst charge they bring against me is, that I am a member of the Central Asso ciation.

CHAP. V.
SECOND MARRIAGE AND FIRST PULPIT EXPERIENCES--1835..
" To learn such a simple lesson Need one go to Paris or Rome; '
That the many make the household, But only one the home."
BOUT this time my brother decided to marry jain, and selected as his future partner a young
''lady of Eatonton--Miss Mary Sandford. He thus writes of the approaching event to his mother: " It is possible I may change my condition during the present month. Although I am fully satisfied a minister, above all men, should be a married man, I tremble as I con template the step I am about taking, since it will not only give a mother to my children, but will have an important bearing upon my usefulness as a minister. I have seen nothing to alter my opinion of the young lady, but on t^e contrary, -much to confirm my prepossessions. I think I have, found a higher degree of qualification every way, than I at first thought"
Before consummating the engagement, my brother asked one pledge of the lady; which was, "neverjn any way (sickness excepted) to interfere with his duties as a minister of the Gospel." I am happy to be able to tes tify that this pledge was honorably and^ conscientiously fulfilled. She was above most women--
"Blest with a temper whose unclouded ray Can make to-morrow cheerful as to-day."
Her friends will long remember her happy, buoyant 4

42

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

disposition, her kind, obliging manner--how she "of the open soul and open door," made " home sunshine" for husband, children and friends. She had no children of her own, but that she filled the place of a devoted mother to her husband's, their warm 'affection for her will sufficiently prove. When the eldest daughter, Mrs. \Vm. Fannin, lay dying, she said:
" Mother, I am going to Heaven; I leave my child ren to you--raise them for God, keep them as much as possible out of the fashionable world."
This lovely young Christian survived her husband only a few months--her father only fifteen days.
Mrs. Dawson was a charitable, benevolent woman. Said a distinguished citizen of Columbus, Ga., to me:
'" I seldom meet Mrs. Dawson at] the social gatherings of her friends, though they desire her society, but I often see and hear of her in the homes of the indigent, and around the sick-oeds of the suffering poor."
Never was husband more ardently loved than my ' brother. The tender, untiring ministrations of his wife, during his protracted illness, won the admiration of all who witnessed it. The blow which laid her husband low, crushed her heart Something of her feelings were expressed in the following letter to our dear Bro. Mallary, written shortly after .her husband's death:
FROM MRS. J. E. DAWSON TO DR. C. D. MAIXARY.
" I know, my dear Bro. Mallary will forgive my seem ing ingratitude in not sooner thanking him for his kind, consoling words, when I inform him that, Jn-addition to" a crushed spirit, I have not passed a well day since my husband's death. Again and again I have attempted to write, but as often found myself unequal to the task. Gloom and sadness fill my heart, and if a thought is

LIFE CKF JOHN E. BAWSON,

43

expressed it bears the impress of the burden of woe that presses so heavily upon me. Pray for me, my dear brother, that I may attain to perfect submission to God's will, for oh! I am far from it now. There is almost a total absence of spiritual comfort when I need it so much. My mind is so completely absorbed .in the thought of what I have lost, that I have scarcely a thought of my blessed Saviour. Oh! how often have I heard my dear husband, when worn down with care and the troubles of life, wish for his dear Bro. Mallary, to advise, to sympathize and pray with him. He loved you with more than a brother's love. My hnsban'd's affec tion Tor you has made you doubly dear*to me," etc.
Mrs. Dawson survived her husband not quite a year. She died near Columbus, Ga., at the residence of'Dr. A. M. Walker, from whom, and his amiable Christian wife, she received the most devoted, untiring attentions.
This tribute, and even a more worthy one, is due this excellent woman, and though it has somewhat retarded the main business of the ' memoir,' I preferred to give at once all I deemed necessary to be said upon the subject.
Although--as already remarked--I have not been able to procure letters, or any other written record of the first years of my brother's ministerial career, fortunately several pious, intelligent witnesses, his cotemporaries, have given much valuable information, which enables me to trace the outline with an occasional filling up, frdm beginning to end,ffrom "the flowering of his intellectual powers to the mellowing of the fruit"

FROM DR. A. SHERWOOD.
Says Dr. Sherwood: "His mind was of a superios t>rder, seizing subjects*with a giant's grasp, and unfold ing them so clearly that others could easily comprehend.

44

IJFE OF 50HN E,

If he had chosen, he might have reached eminence as a statesman. Spontaneously he was an orator. His emi nence as a public speaker and sound theologian he began to reach about the time I remoVed West; so that I had not an opportunity of hearing any of his masterly efforts, though I heard of them through good judges."
FROM REV. J. H. CAMPBELL.
Rev. J. H. Campbell says: " Such were his zeal, his piety, his talents, that even before the completion of the first year of his ministry, he was, by common consent, ranked among the ablest young ministers of the State.
"There is one fact connected with his earliest efforts which should be mentioned. Sometimes after he had taken his text, and proceeded fifteen or twenty minutes, he would suddenly lose all confidence and fail, or break down. He would generally seem to have a sort of pre monition of this, and upon two occasions pressed me into the pulpit with him, that I might finish out his work. On such occasions he would seem to his hearers to be progressing v.'ith ease and pleasure to himself, when he would stop short, as if bewildered, and exclaim, taking his seat:
"' Brethren, you see I am in the dark and can't preach. I take the shame to myself.'
"Such occurrences were usually followed by seasons of deep mortification- and despondency. Perhaps his next effort would atone for a dozen failures. He was. a man of impulse, but his impulses were invariably in the right direction, and of the noblest kind. Ordinary men do not have such experiences, but J. E. Dawson was not an ordinary man. Such occurrences are said to -have been common with the celebrated Robert Hall, of Eng' land, in the earlier years of his ministry."

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

45

FROM T. J. BURNEY, ESQ.
Mr. T. J. Burney, of Madison, a warm personal friend of Dr. Dawson, relates a failure of the kind which occurred at Shiloh Church, Greene county, Georgia.
" In 1834, I attended the session of the Baptist Covention of the State of Georgia, upon which occasion the brother who had been appointed to preach the educa tion sermon, and his alternate, were both absent The committee on preaching selected Bro. Dawson to perform that service, and he very reluctantly consented. He was young in the ministry, and surrounded by a vast audience and a number of ministers much older than himself. Among the number were Mercer, Saunders and Posey. He read his text and proceeded a short time, when dis covering that he was about to fail in presenting the sub ject to his own satisfaction, and to meet, as he supposed, the expectations of his hearers, abruptly took his seat, eliciting the heartfelt sympathies of all present Brother Posey was on the stand, and after a brief consultation with other ministers, stood up in Bro. Dawson's place and delivered one of the most heart-stirring, effective sermons, it was ever my good fortune to hear."
Other similar instances could be given to show that in his early pulpit efforts he was wanting in that selfpossession and confidence which, later in life, was so striking a characteristic of his public speaking.

CHAP. VI.
1835.
" Earnest men have done wonders in this world, and few have Mccomplished'anything worthy of note who were not in earnest. Earnestness is the lever of which the Syracusiaa' philosopher dreamed."
. J. E. DAWSON served the Eatonton church Lthrough the year 1835. Maj. M. A. Cooper was a member of the church and, in a letter to me, thus writes of him: "My acquaintance with Rev. John E. Dawson, personally, embraced a period just before, at the time, and for a few years after, he joined.the church. * * * As a man, he was genial and social; as a Christian, devoted and consistent; as a preacher, ha was ardent, zealous, impressive and eloquent. His man ner was easy, at times stately and bold, when full of the majesty of his subject. > His countenance was open and engaging. In the first years of his ministry, in the open ing of his addresses he hesitated, as if he felt that all language at Bds command was inadequate to convey his conceptions of the magnitude of his subject. He would, however, as a general thing, be relieved of this, and then words and ideas would flow together."
The father of Maj. Cooper was one of the Deacons of the church--Mr. Thomas Cooper. To him the young pastor was greatly indebted for Christian counsel and sympathy. After Mr. Cooper's death in 1843, my brother, in a letter to Rev. C. D. Mallary, writes of him:

4

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

" He was a good man, everywhere and under all circum-. stances, I bear cheerful testimony to the ^excellence of his character, his uniform piety, his enlarged views of Christian character and obligation, his untiring benevo lence, his faithfulness as a Deacon--in a word, I may say that after a most intimate acquaintance for several years, and under very interesting circumstances, I con sidered him one of the best and most useful men I ever
knew." Rev. C. D. Mallary writes of Mr. Cooper: "In him
were joined to a native intellect, remarkably clear, dis criminating and vigorous, the most excellent qualities of heart, and all was sanctified by fervent, elevated piety. Three times a day. would he retire to hold communiorj with God. For the last twelve or fifteen years of his life, this venerable man was an humble pupil in a Bible
class." The church at Eatonton enjoyed this year a gracious,
outpouring of the Spirit. A succession of revivals followed in the Antfoch, Sharon, McDonough, Milledgeville, and other churches. Says Rev. J. H. Campbell: " Bro. Dawson was in them all."
An intimate friend relates the. following incident.as having occurred in Milledgeville. My brother com menced the study of law in that place, and while there
led a gay life: " He was a leading spirit in nil places, and, before the
Spirit of God had moved upon his heart, was ready for participation in any amusement offered him. He soon had a large circle of friends among the gay and pleas ure-loving youths of the city. After he was led to see the ' exceeding sinfulness of sin,' and \o rejoice in the pardoning love of his Saviour, he looked back upon his course in Milledgeville with the deepest contrition

J

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

49

After lie commenced to preach, he said,''that he never could. be happy until he did all in his power to repair the injury done to his former companions by his influence and example." Accordingly he made a visit there, and when it was announoed that he would preach in the Methodist church--being the largest in the place-- it was closely packed. Such an audience was calculated to intimidate a young speaker, particularly when he remembered that a, number of persons in it were former companions in folly, and ready to sneer at one who had left their ranks to serve the meek and lowly Jesus. He commenced his sermon by stating his strong desire to address many friends he knew and loved in Milledgeville, upon the important subject of their soul's salva tion. He discoursed most eloquently upon the shortness of life, the necessity of accepting now the terms of sal vation, and while urging upon them the uncertainty of life, accidentally knocked one of the pulpit lamps into the aisle before him, where it lay in a thousand frag ments. A smile was seen upon many faces, but only for an instant, for, instead of being embarrassed, he finished his sentence, and then seized upon the accident as an apt illustration of his subject:
'"See," he .said, 'that beautiful lamp which a moment ago stood at my right hand, in its perfection of beauty and utility, now a heap of broken glass, fit only to be thrown aside--a ruin! So frail is your life! How small a thing may snap the brittle cord! ' The spider's most attenuated thread is cord, is cable, to man's tender hold upon human life. It breaks at every breeze.' Let this accident impress upon your minds the solemn truths I have been urging upon your attention this morning, and be warned to flee now to the only safe refuge.'
" His rare tact was thus early manifested. Several of

JO

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

S

'

his former companions became his brothers in Christ."

About this time--I am uncertain as Ho the date--my

brother was preaching a missionary sermon in Barnes-

ville. It was before the formation of the Rehoboth

Association, and most of the churches were opposed to

missionary work. At the close of the Sermon, the Rev.

Jacob King arose, with tears streaming down his face,

and said:

" Brethren, when you chop off this brother's head for what he has said, I want you to put mine on the same block."

It wen* like electricity through the congregation, and this short sentence had great influence in establishing the cause of missions in that place, and, I may say, through out the bounds of the Rehoboth Association--which, to this day, among the Associations, of Georgia, is one of the most earnest, liberal and practical.
From Eatonton, Rev. J. E. Dawson was called to the pastoral care of the Baptist church in Columbus, and removed to that place in January, 1836.
The Indian troubles in Alabama, on our border, broke out soon after, seriously interrupting all pursuits.
Mr. Wm. C. Gray states in a letter to me, "that though the service^ of Rev. J. E, Dawson, as the regular pastor of the church, were brief, he left the impression, upon the community of decided ability and power as a Gospel minister."

In connection with Judge Hill, he had settled a large plantation in what was then called the " Indian Nation," about twenty-five miles1 from Columbus. Unfortunately for us, upon the place was one of their council grounds. In the very beginning of the disturbances, they resented the intrusion by committing depredations, and finally drove off the hands and destroyed the crop.

LIFE OF JOHN X. DAWSOH.. l

5

An incident occurred in the beginning of the war--

called " tfie Creek war "--which may be interesting to

his friends:

'

..

The Indians were greatly exasperated by the near

approach of the time for removing them from Alabama

beydnd the Mississippi. The whites had practiced great

frauds upon them in the purchase of the reservations

secured to them by the terms of the Mclntosh treaty.

In retaliation, they commenced killing and driving off"

the settlers. This outbreak on their part made it neces sary that the Governor of Georgia "should, for the protec

tion of the whites, confer with the Governor of Alabama-

My brother volunteered to carry a dispatch from the

former. Communication between the States adross '"the

Nation " had well nigh ceased, on account of the hostile-

spirit of the Indians. It was supposed, however, that

they would hardly venture to attack a United States-

Mail Coach, for fear of coming in collision with the-

General Government Nothing of note occurred on the

outward passage; but returning, my brother found the

perils greatly increased. Reaching Tuskegee--a supper

-station--just after nightfall, a number of Indian men

were discovered,' each bearing a lighted torch in his hand

and evidently under gresHt excitement As the coach

passed* the group, they commenced rapidly extinguishing

their torches. The passengers, uneasy at these demon

strations, only waited to change horses, and dashed on

with reckless speed. In a short time they passed a.

United States coach, partly burned. This was not calcu

lated to reassure them or make their drive more com

fortable. Very soon, as they advanced into the more-

thickly settled part of the country, from different direc

tions, and not far in the distance, came sounds of dis

tress and the whoops of the savages. When within;

52

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

twenty miles of Columbus, they heard before them the

discharge of fire-arms and, to use my brother's expres

sion, " the driver gave an unearthly shriek," such an one

as " haunted " him long after.

'

" Drive on, drive on!" shouted the passengers, with

the courage of despair. The driver clung to the reins and lashed the already infuriated horses. By the light

of the lamps, half a score or more of Indians were seen running from behind trees and other places of conceal ment. Yelling and whooping, they gave chase to the

coach. Fast and furiotisly the driver urged his horses

until at length the yells of the savages grew less dis

tinct; when, as they were rapidly descending a precipi

tous 'hill, the carriage tongue broke. It required only

the work of a few minutes to cut the horses loose, when

mounting two passengers to each animal, a " Gilpin"

race for life began. Said my brother, when relating

this adventure:

" I have often heard sweet music and thought I appre

ciated it, feut the sweetest music I ever heard was the

clatter of the horses' hoofs upon the bridge at Columbus."

Some months after the war, a friend of his was travel

ling North, and made the acquaintance of a United States

officer, who was one of the passengers upon this, memo

rable occasion. Learning from this new acquaintance

that he was from Georgia, the officer inquired if he knew

the Rev. J. E. Dawson, of Columbus, Ga. Being replied to in the affirmative, he then narrated the circumstances

as they occurred upon this night of terror, some of which, relating to himself, my brother'* modesty had suppressed.

Said the officer.

" Never was there a nobler exhibition of unselfishness,

moral and physical courage, than Mr. Dawson displayed.

He gave proof of the power and purity of his religion

LIFE OF JOHN E, 0AWSOIT.

53

When the accident happened, every one turned instinct ively to him for counsel. He advised, led the way, and was'the last man to mount"
It was ascertained, after the difficulties were over, that the reason the passengers were not fired upon was, that the Indians had just discharged their guns, killing some unfortunate settlers who were trying to make their escape. The rapidity with which the coach passed gave them ho time to reload.
The duration of the war being considered doubtful, my brother decided to return to middle Georgia. Sick ness and death among the servants, from exposure, and the expense of two removals, involved serious pecuniary losses.
In 1837, Dr. Dawson was called to the Indian Creefc Church, situated near his former residence, in Morgan 'county.
EXTRACT FROM THE INDIAN CREEK CHURCH BOOK.
"January I4j3i, 1837.--The Church -met in ConferenceBrother Sherwood having resigned as the pastor of this Church, it is now declared that Rev. JoJm-E. Dawson is the unanimous choice of the Church as pastor to serve * this year. He accepted the call."
I have heard him relate a little incident which occurred soon after he commenced preaching at this church, and which, I think, he said was the only time he ever felt tempted to laugh in the pulpit The feeling was soon controlled, and gave him exquisite pain. In the country churches the clerk was usually the chorister. Upon a certain occasion, when the hymn was given out, there was no music forthcoming. After waiting a sufficient time, my brother asked "if some one in the congregation would be kind enough to raise the tune?" There was a prompt response, but the person set a common metre

54

* LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSOK.

tune to long metre words. The self-complacency and in genuity with which he packed the words into the tune, and the attempt <ff the congregation to follow the daYing exploit, was mirth-provoking. I have already remarked lie had a keen sense of the ridiculous. For a moment he was in a position where--
" To laugh were want of goodness and of grace, And to look grave beyond all power of face."
From a dislike to mortify the obliging chorister, who seemed well pleased with his performance, my brother continued to "parcel out the lines" for two or three verses, until the scene grew too ridiculous. Ever after, "he was a warm promoter of everything that tended to the improvement of church music, even to the advocacy of instrumental music in church, and this at a time when many of the most pious professors of religion lifted up their hands in "holy horror" at so daring an innovation. He was never able to - make musical utterances himself, beyond a few simple, familiar airs, having no especial gift in that direction; but he must have had much unuttered music in his soul, for he had a passionate fondness for true harmony. Indissolubly connected in my mind are some dear old songs, with certain individuals. "Did Christ o'er sinners weep?" brings my brother vividly be fore me. In prayer meetings, and during revivals, he often requested it should be sung, and joined in the sing ing. In the same way, "JJesus, I love Thy charming name," is tenderly associated in my mind with dear brother Mallary. who also had been denied the gift of song.
Called to the Eatonton Church in the fall of 1837, '.Rev. J. E. Dawson returned to that place, but gave only part of his time to his church, as I am informed. He preached one Sabbath in .the month in -Monroe, Walton

LIFE OF JOHN "E. DAWSON.

55

county. About this time he also preached at Monticello and Forsyth. Judge E. G. Cabiness, a member of the Forsyth church, furnishes the following notice of Rev. J. E. Dawson's services in that church :

"In 1837, the division of the Flint River Association took place. The majority of the church at Forsyth be ing Anti-Missionary, held the house of worship. The Presbyterians, owning one in the town, but not having a sufficient number of members to preserve a church or ganization, and have regular services, permitted the Mis.sionary Baptists to use their house. They were then con stituted a church with about twelve members. In 1839, they called the Rev. J. E. Dawson, who then resided in Eatonton, to serve them as their minister two Sabbaths in -each month. He accepted the call, and attended reg ularly every alternate Sabbath, riding the distance, about forty miles, on horse-back. In the summer of 1839, the church resolved to hold a daily prayer meeting, to pray specially for a revival and the outpouring of the Spirit upon them. . Brother Dawson, in co-operation with the church, held a series of meetings, in which he preached with great power and eloquence. The result was, the church was much revived--an outpouring of .the Spirit followed--and some thirty-five or forty new members were added to the church.
" The church, from that time, grew and prospered, and became one of the most influential churches of the Rehoboth Association, to which it was attached. Brother Dawson had the entire confidence of the church and com munity, and continued to serve them acceptably through 1839 and 1840, when he resigned the pastorate of the church, and removed to Madison in 1841, and opened a Female Academy, where he taught successfully until

56

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

his removal to LaGrange, where he taught a similar school with like success."
He continued to serve the Eatonton church five years, .but in 1841 changed his residence to Madison, and opened a female school. Soon after his return to Eatonton, he stood security for a friend fora considerable amount,and had the debt to pay. This, with his losses by the Indians, "drove him into the school-room." I have already men tioned his success as a teacher, attested by a highly cul tivated lady of LaGrange, and others.
Rev. V. R. Thornton was at this time pastor of the Madison church, but as he resided in Greene county, my brother often supplied his. place, when absent, upon funeral and other occasions. In 1841, he was requested to preach a funeral discourse upon the death of the President, General Harrison. It was pronounced one of his happiest efforts.
In 1838 Mercer Institute was raised to Mercer Uni versity, and the year following, the Georgia Baptist Con vention, held st Monroe, Walton county, elected the first Board of Trustees, among whom was ,Rev. John E. Dawson. He had before this been associated with Stocks, Mallary, Thornton and Saunders, in the manage ment of Mercer Institute. Rev. J. H. Campbell says:
" No man in-the State took a deeper interest in those educational movements, or was more zealous or efficient in their promotion."
In 1838 Rev. Adiel Sherwood and Rev." John E. Dawson were sent as delegates by the Baptist State Conven tion, to the General Convention of the United States, held in New'York.
In 1840 J. E. Dawson was elected Clerk of the State Convention. In 1841 he was elected Moderator of the Central Association.

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

57

His name appears every year upon the minutes of the different Associations as a delegate, and also as assisting in many revivals. His friends believe that his incessant labors laid the foundation of the disease from which he suffered many years. " The recoil of the o'erstrained spring."
Bro. B. Richards furnishes the following reminiscence: "In 1842 Bro. Dawson preached at Providence Church. Jasper county. His subject was Baptism--an able, excel lent discourse. Juct before the close of the sermon, he alluded -to the idea some entertained that John's baptism was not Christian baptism; said he:
"'The Saviour's baptism is good enough for me,' adding in a manner indescribable and peculiarly his own, ' and can you believe that the Saviour submitted to one kind of baptism and sent out His disciples to practice another?' The argument was plain, simple, powerful.
' What he snid was often thought, bat ne'er so veil expressed."

-CHAR VII.
MOVES TO LAGRANGE--BECOMES WUNCIPAL OF AN ACADEMY-- ANECDOTES--SETTLEMENT IN COLUMBUS----HIS ORATORY.
I83S TO 1848.
"If you wish me to weep, yen most weep yourself."
" Thy soul mast overflow if thon Another's soul would reach; .
It needs the overflow of heart, To give the lips full speech."
reverse of fortune, no bodily affliction, so dis' tressed my brother as the cdldness and worldliness - of his churches. The desire to see the work ol the Lord prosper in his hands amounted almost to im patience. For this end, his labors and prayers were most abundant. " To -labor and to wait" was a hard lesson for him to learn. Said a pious minister to me: " While Bro. Dawson was Pastor of the Eatonton church . we were together at a protracted meeting in the country. At out temporary home, several ministers--Bro. Dawson one of them--occupied the same sleeping room. When the night was far advanced, and when he supposed the occupants of the room were fast asleep, I saw him rise from his. bed and kneel by its side- Presently there arose, more and more distinctly, such earnest prayer as I've seldom heard. In seeming forgetfulness of every thing around him, he cried out in agony of spirit: ' Hast Thou not a blessing, oh, my Father, for the Eatonton church ? I cannot let Thee go without a blessing.' There

60

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAW3ON.

are those living who remember the revival in this church during his pastorate; was there any connection between that prayer, poured into the ear of the " Keeper of Israel who never slumbers or sleeps," by that lone, solitary wrestler, and the gracious outpouring of the Spirit upon the Eatonton church? "Prayer moves the arm that moves the world." " He that soweth in tears shall reap in joy."
A writer in the Christian Index--whose -name I am not authorized to use--a man of intelligence and piety, states that "in the fall of 1837, when quite a youth, he went with his mother to Eatonton. There was a great revival in the church and congregation. It was night; the church was filled to overflowing. Rev. J. E. Dawson preached; he rarely ever appeared to better advan tage. He stood before an appreciative audience, among a people whom he loved and who love<j him. The earnest desire of his heart was fulfilled in the manifest and signal outpouring of God's Spirit upon their hearts. The Cross, its Divinity, its power to save to the utter most, to rescue the most guilty and abandoned, was the matchless theme of his discourse. It was evident that under the masterly and most impressive ministry of the truth that night, the Cross was become the instrument of a great work of grace. The preacher 'evidently felt the force of this suggestion upon his own heart, and catch ing fresh inspiration from the occasion, his intellect expanded under the magnitude of his subject. Strong men trembled; all seemed to feel that life and death were suspended in the balance. It was in the midst of this solemn and pervading sense of the presence of the Almighty among that deeply interested throng, that he left the pulpit, and closed his sermon by a more direct appeal to the audience on the floor of the church.

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAW9ON.

6l

" From great physical prostration and intense feeling, -his strength suddenlyjfailed, and he was unable to con tinue his exhortation. Rev. C. D. Mallary was present, and at once rose to his feet and taking up the thread of the exhortation, walked up and down the cfisle, deliver ing one of those moving, eloquent appeals for which, in those days, he was remarkable. The excitement was overwhelming. The affectionate warning of the Pastor, his wan, exhausted appearance, the tears of the audience, produced an impression upon my mirid that time can never efface."
God in mercy grant that the cold proprieties of religion of the present day may be displaced by such love and joy as I've seen and felt in the olden time, under the ministry of such irien!
Rev. J. E. Dawson moved from Madison to LaGrange, Troup county, Georgia, in the fall of 1842. I am per mitted to use a letter from a member of this church, giving soms information upon the subject of his removal:
" In the fall of 1842, Rev. J. E. Dawson moved with his family to LaGrange, in answer to a unanimous call of the Baptist church. Having a large household,--in addition to his own family he had assumed the charge of two orpfian children, a nephew and niece,--and having experienced heavy pecuniary losses, he accepted the arduous labors of Principal of the Female Academy, that he might avoid, as mnch as possible, becoming burden some-to the church--his peculiar independence render ing him sensitive upon this point, to a fault"
The work of teaching was irksome to him, his whole heart being in the ministry. Rev. J. H. Campbell states that, in 1843, he wrote to him, urging him to cut loose from the school-rcom as soon as possible, and devote himself entirely to his sacred calling. To which my

62

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

brother replied: " He would gladly give it up if a suit able man could be found who would take the school off his hands." The result of this correspondence was that ' Mr. Milton E. Bacon became associated with him for a short time, and finally Principal of the Academy.
The school was afterwards raised to the dignity of a Female College, and for years was the pride of LaGrange and contributed largely to its prosperity.
From an interesting communication from Mr. Bacon. I make the following extracts:
*' Your estimable brother and myself lived in intimate friendship and confidence from the time of our first acquaintance, in 1841, to his death. Our frequent and unreserved interviews were well calculated to give me a. high appreciation of his rare, intellectual, genial and social qualities. In all my trials, he was my faithful counsellor, for no one could more completely sympa thize with another, comprehend and appreciate their difficulties, than Bro. Dawson. To depict his noble character as I knew him, would require word-painting beyond my mastery."
Confinement to the school-room, arid tottering health, interfered with his usual attendance upon those annual gatherings of his brethren, which had hitherto afforded him so much satisfaction. The world is always ready to give a reason for conduct about which they know noth ing, and of the propriety of which they are generally incompetent judges:
" Oh! that <ke mischief-making crew Were all reduced to one or two;
. And they were painted red or bine, That all might know them."
A report became "circulated that my brother "was favorable to open communion, and entertained feelings

V

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

63

unfriendly to the educational interests of the denomina tion. His faithful friend,. Mr. T. J. Burney, wrote to him of these unfounded reports and urged hh attend ance at the next session of the Convention, to be held at Atlanta., This friend informs me that "to the great gratification of his friends, Bro. Dawson was present at this session of the Convention, and by his decided and active co-operation with his old-associates, soon con vinced all who had any doubts, that his heart was still enlisted in promoting the great objects for which the Convention was organized. On Sabbath he was appointed to occupy the pulpit of tiie largest church building in the city. The congregation was very large, many being attracted by his fame as an orator; others went that they might be satisfied of the soundness of his doctrines.
"The sermon was one of his ablest discourses, and although he did not apparently design to meet and refute the charge of entertaining false views in reference to the doctrines of grace, yet he took occasion to present his views so fully and clearly, that all were satisfied and delighted. I think it was here Dr. Dagg first heard him preach. I well recollect hearing that great and good man express his gratification that he had been permitted to listen to that sermon."
I deem myself fortunate in being able to lay before the readers of this Memoir, extracts from a letter addressed to me by Dr. Dagg:
LETTER FROM DR. J. L. DAGG.
Dear Sister,--It gives me pleasure to learn that you design to prepare for publication a ' Memoir' of your excellent brother, Rev. J. E. Dawson. * * * I first met him at the meeting of the Georgia Convention in 1849. Afterwards at the annual meetings of this body, and also at the annual commencements of Mercer Uni-

64

LIFE' OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

versity, or the meetings of its Board of Trustees. On all of these occasions he was a leading spirit among us, both in council and in action, and no one dould long be a spectator of our proceedings without observing the marked deference paid to him by his brethren, and with out becoming convinced that his heart was deeply inter ested in the spread of the Gospel and the advancement of ministerial education. As a preacher, Bro. Dawson was among the ablest it has been my privilege to hear. I have listened with delight to Andrew Broaddus, of Virginia, to Wm. Stoughton, of Philadelphia, and Spen cer H. Cone, of New York, and with the names of these admired pulpit orators I associate that of John E. Dawson. Broaddus excelled in gracious sweetness; Stough ton in grandeur; Cone in commanding dignity; Dawson in power to move the heart His delivery was natural, his language plain and simple, and his rhetoric was without dazzling ornament The distinguishing' feature and excellence of his oratory was a torrent of feeling poured forth from a full heart, and bearing away the hearts of his hearers. He who could listen to him unmoved was" endowed with uncommon apathy. May the Lord, in answer to the many prayers which he sent to Heaven for the Baptist ministry, raise up a host of faithful champions for Christ, who will partake of Dawson's spirit, and tread in Dawson's steps."
A pious, intelligent sister of the LaGrange church makes a tender and beautiful expression of her feelings towards her pastor, in the following letter:
FROM MRS. --------, OF LAGRANGE.
" I would keep the memory of the good and gifted John E. Dawson as green in the hearts of all others as it is in my own. A correct estimate of his acceptability to the church may be drawn from his universal popu-

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

65

larity as a pastor for a period of- eight years, the unfeigned regrets felt at his departure, and the endearing memories still lingering lovingly in the hearts of the living of his charge. * * * His connection with the church was signally blessed.. Many revivals occurred, in which numbers " believed and were baptized." The seals of his ministry, gathered from the youths and maidens usually congregated here, are scattered all over the land. Nor was his influence less salutary in social intercourse; Gifted with conversational powers beyond any one I ever knew, he could so blend religious instruction with ordinary topics that distasteful as religion is to the natural heart, he could make his discourses both profit able and entertaining. This extraordinary power was accompanied with suavity and urbanity of manner, refinement, and delicacy of feeling. As Thomas Fuller said of Lord Bacon, ' he possessed the key that unlocked the rich cabinet--the human heart--elocution.' The. muse of the 'golden tongue' breathed "-her mystic spell upon him, and he spoke as few men ever spoke. His oratory was not of the kind that fell upon the hearts of his hearers like moonbeams upon the Alpine glaciersr-- beautifully brilliant, but cold and moveless--but like the. refulgent beams of a vertical sun, warming and melting; himself melted by the contemplation of Divine Love, or humbled by the consciousness of innate depravity. His sermons were not usually the result of laborious study. His quick, comprehensive mind penetrated at a glance through all the ramifications of his subject, enabling him, with but slight preparation, to preach with 'wisdom, strength and beauty.' If he ever made failures, it was when he had given most time to preparation. All his fine capabilities were laid at the foot of the Cross, as subservient to the work of the Crucified One. To this

66 '

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

end, he abounded in expedients. To illustrate, one

incident recurs to my memory worth relating: During

a protracted meeting, in which much concern was mani

fested, the congregation met at an early hour and

anxiously awaited the coming of the preacher, for the

evening service. He came, ascended the pulpit, gazed

on the large congregation a few moments in silent sad

ness, then said:

"'I feel the presence of Almighty God. I ask that wery individual in this house kneel at their seats and silently and earnestly implore a present blessing upon

their own souls.'

" All knelt I have never witnessed such deep and universal solemnity as pervaded that large assembly. Not a sound disturbed the silence of the prayer, until broken by the sobs and shouts of new-born souls. The presence of God was manifested' by converting sinners and confirming the saints."

It is known to the writer of this " Memoir " that the sister who penned this interesting letter, and a niece of the pastor, were among those happily converted upon this remarkable occasion.

The writer goes on to say:

" During Bro. Dawson's connection with the LaGrange church, he successfully maintained a doctrinal contro versy with a resident learned Divine, which resulted in a firmer establishment of his people, than ever, in their views of Scriptural Baptism.

"In 1847 he tendered his resignation to the church. Duty pointed him to a broader field of labor, and his resignation was accepted with saddened hearts and tear ful faces of both pastor and people."

Deeply interested for the LaGrange church, he used

*

UFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

6j

his influence to secure as his successor, the Rev. C. D. Mallary. He wrote to Dr. Mallary under date of Sept19th, 1847:
. .FROM DR. DAWSON TO REV. C, D. MALLARY.
"Dear Brother,--I have just returned from a confer ence of the church and, at the -request of some of your best friends, I address you these lines. The Conference appointed a day for electing my successor; the minds of many are directed to you as the man who can best har monize the interests of the church, and sustain-our cause here. There is not, at this time, a more important field of labor in Georgia, or one better adapted to your con stitution and tastes--one which you can occupy to greater advantage. Now, my dear brother, will it be possible to move you ? Do, I beg of you, think of it, and encourage me to hope. No doubt biit your call would be unanimous. Write to me, as 'you have done in the past, freely and confidingly."
The appeal was successful.
While pastor of the LaGrange church, my brother experienced annoyance from Revived reports of his being unorthodox in some of his religious opinions. It is hard to account for the origin of such rumors, when his life and preaching had been so decided and consistent. Per haps the suspicion, as regarded his entertaining Arminian views, grew out of his seldom preaching upon the doctrine of predestination. He cared less to "ponder the precipitous sides of difficult questions," than to get at men's souls.
I remember accompanying him in a pastoral visit, when in the course of conversation, the brother at whose house we were entertained, very delicately intimated that "'.though in the main he had greatly enjoyed Bro. Daw-

68

LIFE dF JOHN E. DAW9ON.

son's preaching, yet he must confess to sonic disappoint ment that he had not oftener preached upon the doc trine of election." Rfy brother replied in substance :
" He firmly believed it to be Bible doctrine; what else can Matt xxvi: 22 and 24; Acts xiii: 48; Romans viii: 28--xxx: 9, 23--xi: 5, 8; Eph; i; 4, 5, II; 2nd Tim., i: g\ ist Peter i: 2 ; 2n*d Thess. 2: 13--and other simflar texts, mean ? Yet he never felt that he could make the doctrine plainer or clearer to the minds of his cortgregatfon than the declarations of the Bible; that to attempt doing so, he could only use ' a mist of words, which, like halos round the moon, would only enlarge the seeming size of thought, and make the light less.' It was a doctrine to be believed, not reasoned about."
He asked the good, brother to instruct us, by giving his views. Without hesitancy he did so, and very cleverly too, until he approached the " mountain heights " of this grand, mysterious doctrine, then came a " mist of words." My brother held him to the 'point of where God's sovereignty ended and man's free agency began: " 'Twas there we wanted light." After several ineffectual attempts to give even a scintillation of light, he admitted that "there were heights in God's plans and purposes which human reason could not scale, and depths too profound for human reason to sound."
Sometime after this, an incident occurred which greatly amused my brother: He was accosted on the street by a colored brother, who enjoyed some popularity as a preacher. Though altogether illiterate, he thought well of himself. Holmes says:
" Conceit is to the human character what salt is to the sea; and when one has all his conceit taken out of him, when he has lost all his illusions, his feathers wiil soak
through, he will fly no more."

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

'

69

'



Well, this brother had rather more of the article than

was wholesome. Said he:

"Bro. Dawson, why don't you preach more about

Election ? "

" Because, Bro. Giles," replied my brother, " I know

so little about it"

"O, Bro. Dawson, I'm astonished to hear a smart man

like you talk so; why I understands it jest as well, and

I have great freedom in preaching it to my people."

Introducing a companion who had accompanied him,

he said:

-

- " Why, I have brought this Methodist brother along to

get you to convince him." Bro.JGiles was evideatly

ashamed of the ignorance of his pastor.

One of the committeq^rho served upon the occasion, furnishes me the following addenda to the above:

" Rev. H. C. Brooks was to be ordained. Bro. Dawson, then in very feeble health, was a member of the Presbytery. A preliminary examination was held at the house of Mr. Wm. Fannin, his son-in-law, on account of Bro. Dawson's condition. After a recital, on the part of the candidate, of his Christian experience, and motive for preaching the Gospel, we proceeded to sound his doctrinal views, very much confining ourselves to those 1 great elementary principles that involve the scheme of redemption. -A member of the Presbytery seemed to think it expedient 'to leave the principles of Christ, and go on to perfection.' He, therefore, propounded a sweeping question, reaching down to the far depths of Calvinism--perhaps farther. The candidate answered to the entire satisfaction of the good brother. Upon some manifestation of a disposition to go into more profound depths, Bro. Dawson's face lighted up with a most mean*ing smile, remarking with emphasis and vim:

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LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

"' He never knew but oner man that understood such subjects, and that was old brother Giles.' We were all amused at his manner. I recollect the gleam on the questioner's face, which seemed to say:
'"Well, you can certainly put things forcibly.'"

A 1ETTER ADDRESSED TO AN AFF11CTED SISTER,

TEXT ISA. LIV : IO.
" How many are the circumstances of life calculated fb depress the feelings of Christians 1 How strange are the ways of the Almighty!
But however vascillatfng our feelings, however obscure His providence," all things work together for good to those who love God." The text, illustrative of the pros perity and stability of the church, may afford consolation in .affliction. You will observ^tfiree interesting truths
in the text: " I. God's kindness to his children. " My kindness!
"The Lord that_hath mercy on thee." Now, although this is a promise^to ffte whole church of' Christ, yet it embraces all the integral parts; and since it takes every Child of God, however small, or obscure, or afflicted, to make'up the whole family, His kindness and mercy must extend to all. It is true, that the Lord does sometimes seem to hide His face from His chosen, and for a seasonto leave them to wade through deep waters; but still, even in affliction there is kindness. He still has mercy.

" 'Tis God who lifts our comforts high,

'

Or ginks them in the grave;

He gives,'and blessed be His name,

JSe takes but what He gave."

"' For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.'--Vr. 7.
"'In a little wrath I "hide my face from, thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have '

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

71

mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.'--Vr. 8th.
" II. In consequence of His kindness and mercy) He has made with His people a covenant of peace. ' The covenant of my peace.' The great representative of the church, in this covenant, is Christ. ' For, as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made ..righteous. * * That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign, through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.'
'"Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste.' Isa. xviii: 16. ' Jesus saith unto them, did ye never redft in the Scriptures ? The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner.'--Mat xxi: 42, Ps. 18: 22.
" How comforting the" words of Peter, ' To whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of Gpd and precious; ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Pet ii: 4, S-
"'Though He were a son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made per fect, He became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.' Called of God an High Priest after the order of M'elchisedec.'--Heb. v: 8, 9, etc. ' For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord ; I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.'

72

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

" III. The kindness of God shall not depart, nor the covenant of His peace be removed.
" Whatever are the purposes of the Almighty, He has a right to exercise them as He pleases. How unlike Him would be a fitful government! What He purposes to do He does, what He attempts He accomplishes. The x work of salvation is His great work. In this He has "all His mightiest works, outdone.'
"' 'Twas great to speak the world from nought, 'Twas greater to redeem.'
" In the work of salvation, therefore, involving God's power, wisdom, integrity, we may expect to see devel oped His unchanging character. How beautifully this idea is expressed--how forcible ths figure, ' The moun tains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee!' What a spectacle would be presented if the Alps and the Apennines, the Andes and the Cordilleras, were to move off from 'their foundation, and take their departure from earth in viola tion of every law of gravity! And yet sooner shall this be done than God's kindness depart, or the covenant of His peace be removed. ' Upon this rock I build my church,' etc.;' When He could swear by no higher,' etc. ; ' Fear not, little flock,' etc.; ' For, if while we were ene mies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son,'etc.--Rom. v.: 10. 'There is, therefore, now no condemnation,' etc.--Rom. viii: I. 'Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect ?' etc.--Rom. viii: 33-39. ' I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'-- Heb. xiii: 5. ' For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand.'--Isa. xii: 13-14. ' He giveth power to the faint.'--Isa. xi: 29-31. 'A bruised reed,' etc.--Isa. xiii: 3. ' Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, thou art mine,' etc.--&Isa. xiii: I.

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

73

" IV. Improvement I. How* rich the grace of God I How unmerited His kindness! Had He dealt with us according to our sins, how changed our condition!

2. How light are our greatest sufferings, compared with our sins, or with the sufferings of our Saviour! How accumulated our transgressions! Against what have we not sinned! O, is it not wonderful mercy, astonishing grace, that we are not in hell--not lost--rforever lost! And then think what our comforts cost our Saviour! He had not where to lay His head; He was mocked, and spit upon, and crucified, the just for the unjust. We have kind friends to soothe and sympa thize, and He Himself to enter into our necessities; but He was forsaken of all, etc.

" 3. How much is there to reconcile us to our afflic tions !

"(i.) It is our Father who deals with us. ' Whom theLord loveth He chasteneth,' etc.

" (2.) He does it for our good. No chastisement i* pleasant, but grievous; nevertheless, it shall work the peaceable fruits of righteousness,' etc.

" (3 ) Our present afflictions the" better prepare us for our final rest. How sweet the shade to the weary pil grim on a burning sand, ' as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land!' How pleasant the cooling brook tothe thirsty traveller! ' We are strangers and pilgrims,' etc. Oh, how sweet will Heaven be when earth's trials are done, and our kind and covenant-keeping God shall call us home ! ' These light afflictions,' etc.

" May the Lord preserve your life and sanctify your

affliction.

J. E. DAWSON."

His second pastorate in Columbus commenced in
Nov. --, 1847. Rev. Albert Williams preceded him, but 6

74

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

the church was without a pastor a year before he took charge of it He did not remove to Columbus until 1848, serving the church until then, two Sabbaths in the month. A member of the church, and an intimate friend of my brother's, furnishes me with the following infor mation :
" I recollect his first visit to us in 1847, and with what reluctance he took the responsibility of a new pastorate. But he threw himself, as "he often told us, upon the prayers of his church. He seemed much more solicit ous to secure their co-operation than a pecuniary sup port, and indeed his whole residence among us was characterized by a marked liberality to the church, and an utter indifference to the amount of salary he received. He was uniformly kind, affectionate, approachable, sym pathizing, generous, and liospitable almost to a fault. He was refined, polished and pure, to an unusual degree. His grace of manner and person, his high-bred bearing, must have impressed even the most casual observer. I enclose you a note, written to me by your brother, under the following circumstances:
" A party of young ladies and gentlemen wished to attend a circus--a very respectable show of the kind-- and begged me to chaperone them. My wish to oblige them, and yet fear of dishonoring Christ, led me to apply to my Pastor for advice. You may readily guess that after reading his reply to my note I did not go, nor have I ever attended a theatre, circus, opera, or any place, where his rules would have prevented. I hold this note among my precious treasures:
DR. DAWSON ON GOING TO THE CIRCUS.
" Dear Sister,--In reply to your polite and. Christian note, I have to say that I am opposed to such exhibi tions, for various reasons, and especially for their effect

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

75

upon the morals of the public, and their influence upon

the tastes and habits of children and young persons.

Surely no good can result from patronizing this class of

persons, under such circumstances. That a spirit of

prayer or piety will be excited or promoted, we cannot

think; that the reverse may be the result, we may readily

suppose. With my opinions, I could not attend. There

is no rule in our church which will prevent your attend

ing--the only rule is that involved in the precept,

' Abstain from the appearance of evil-' 'Glorify God in

your body and in your spirit, which are Gofl's.' * *

" I thank you for the kind, confiding tone of your note,

and more for the Christian spirit it breathes; with that

spirit you will not greatly err. Whatever of plainness

you may discover in my reply, you will attribute to

the candor you insist upon. My constant prayer has

been, and shall be, that God may preserve you blameless,

and give you more and more of His* good Spirit."

Soon after my brother's removal to Columbus, he

formed an intimacy with a prominent member of the

church,1--Mr. Wm. C. Gray--who gives expression to

his devotion and admiration of the subject of this

memoir in a letter, from which I malce the following

extracts:

" I sat under his ministry ten years, and I have no

recollection of being otherwise than deeply interested in

his sermons. I have seen hardened sinners, who had

spent long lives in sin, and cared not for God, quail

under his thrilling appeals, and, in spite of themselves,

tears would steal down their cheeks, and their bodies

quiver like the aspen.

.

" The theme he most loved was Christ and Him cruci

fied. He was sometimes forced into controversy, but he

had no love for it. He said to' me that nothing but a

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LIFE OF JOHS E. DAWSOK.

sense of duty ever drew him into exciting discussions ', that he preferred, above alt things, to be instrumental in bringing souls to Christ. * * * Ef he had not given his time, talents, and all he possessed, to the ministry, he might have been an ornament and power in the political world.
'Some idea of his capacity as an orator before the people may be formed from his temperance addresses, where he could with propriety give himself more lati tude and address himself more entirely to the feeling* and popular ideas of the masses. I have heard him fre quently upon this subject, and regarded him as the most eloquent and effective speaker to whom I ever listened. On one occasion it was published that he would deliver an address in the country. Two thousands persons were present, some travelling forty and fifty miles to hear him. His health was feeble. I begged he would not speak over an hour. He promised, if possible, to restrain him self, but he spoke two hours; he made frequent efforts to stop, but the entranced multitude, notwithstanding, his feeble condition--which was apparent to all--cried1 out repeatedly: 'go on--go on!' So completely did he have the feelings of the people under his control that they wept or laughed at his bidding. Stern, bearded men wept, and anon, as he related some appropriate anecdote, in his own inimitable way, these men would shout and throw up their hats. Such eloquence cannot be described, and the parallel to it I never saw or heard."
I have heard the following incident, in substance, rela ted by several eye-witnesses. I will give it mainly as published by a writer in the Christian Index :
"A scene at the anniversary of the Alabama Conven tion, which met at Tuskegee in 1851, is illustrative of the self-possession and power of Rev. J,. E. Dawsore-

tIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSOH.

. 77

An announcement that he would deliver a temperance address at night attracted a crowded congregation to the Baptist church. His arguments were irresistibly con vincing. His description of the downward course of the victims of intemperance, from honor and happiness, to infamy and destruction, were intensely vivid. His pecu liar eloquence moved the multitude in sympathy with liimself to an indescribable enthusiasm. Near the close, he dwelt, with emphasis, upon the degredation of one who is insensible to the condemnation which society pronounces upon the drunkard. * * * Carried away by his feelings, he walked down the aisle, illustrating his position with thrilling effect.
'" Who,' said he ' is indifferent to public opinion ? who dare invite its displeasure? who have its righteous scorn ? Is there any one in this house who will rise up and say before this audience that he does not care for the respect of society ? If so, I will give him my purse and its contents!' This he held in his hand, extended toward the people. A young man, on the opposite side of the house, rushed over the seats through the crowd, and standing before the Doctor, claimed his money, saying:
"' I do not care what men say of me.'
"Quick as thought, without the least embarrassment, his graceful person assuming almost superhuman dignity, Dr. Dawson turned, and in his easy, polished way, waved, his hand to the audience, and said:
" Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you a young man who says he cares not for the respect of society. What think you of h,m ? An expression of loathing shaded every countenance, a shudder of disgust passed through ihe assembly as they gazed upon one so wanting in self-

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LIFE. OF JOHN E_ DAWSON-

respecL Holding one end of the puese, as he placed the other in the young man's hand, Dr. Dawson said:
"' I claim the privilege of saying a few words to one who has attained to a distinction so unenviable.' His expressive eyes were dimmed with tears, his trembling voice assumed a melting sweetness, while he described the despicable attitude which the young man had taken; the disgust with which his conduct must be viewed by noble souls, the unwept end of such a character. Never did mortal lips utter words more fitly spoken, of affec tionate counsel and solemn warning. That vast crowdwas still as the chamber oS death! We wept The young man seemed deeply moved. Said he:
"' Dr. Dawson, take back your money, and count me a Son of Temperance.' The scene which followed cannot be described. The orator had been tested,, andl his victory was complete."

CHAP. VIII.

GOES ON A MISSION TO NEW ORLEANS--RESIGNS CHARGE OF THE COLUMBUS CHUKCH----1848 TO 1856.

" Who noble ends by noble means obtains,

Or, failing, smiled in exile or in chains--



Like good Aurclius, let him reign; or bleed

Like Socrates; that man is great indeed."

5NDER an appointment from the Domestic Mis'sion Board, Rev. J. E. Dawson visited New '* Orleans the winter of i853 v I regret not having an official report of his services. A few extracts from letters to his wife will show something of the purpose and success of his mission. , If I am correct upon the subject, a legacy had been left by a Mr. Pauldirig to build a' house of worship for the Baptists in New Orleans. The amount was not suffi cient to meet all expenses, and my brother was sent to awaken an interest upon the subject. Feb. 23d, 1853, he writes": " You can have no conception of this city, nor is it in my power to give you even a faint outline. Think of one hundred and fifty thousand souls, of all descriptions, and then a vast nuiiber of visitors always here, and you have but an idea of lumbers. The moral character and religious necessities of this mass is another question, and then the means of their instruction is another. There are many churches here, and almost all have large con gregations, and still the religious wants of the place

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LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

after crowding the whole, including the Catholic, are unsupplied. I am pained to say that there is not a Bap tist house of worship in this city; and of course all those who ought to be under Baptist influence are either going to other churches, or relapsing into a worse feeling. Ought this thing to exist ? Are you willing it should ? Will you not make some sacrifice to prevent it ? These questions I put to others, as well as to my own heart I have now seen something of the field of labor and the difficulties to be overcome. J have also surveyed the prospect, and in view of all have consented to remain a few weeks and make an effort to establish our cause here, I have found many Baptists, none very wealthy. There is, too, some intelligence, but not much mature piety, I fear. The old church is not in a very good condition, and having no house of worship, must grow worse until defunct The Paulding legacy is not sufficient to build a house by #15,000, but we have made an arrangement to co-operate with the executor, and raise this amount-- more if possible. In the meantime, I wilt rent a hall and preach as I may be able, and perform what other labor is necessary and within my power. I expect to remain until I can see what the city can do, and then (D. V.) will spend a short time at home, and leave for Baltimore. I have tried to weigh the whole matter calmly and prayerfully, watching for Providential indica tions. I desire to do God's will.
" I hope Bro. Tucker will remain and preach on1--I pray God to bless his labors."
Rev. H. H. Tucker supplied my, brother's place to the Columbus church. I do not know for how long a time-
Feb. 28th, 1853, he writes again:
"I am prosecuting my work slowly, with some en couragement and many discouragements; still I hope for

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

Si

success. There is material here for a good church, and,

if united, will-sustain themselves, and after the first year

will amply support a preacher. The executor of Mr.

Paulding's will has purchased a lot. It is too far up

the city--I suppose nearly a mile from St. Charles

Hotel--still it is in th* centre of a large population, and

will be convenient to a large "congregation. Distance

here is less important on account of public conveyances.

You can ride the whole length of the city for a dime.

The prospect now is that the location will not be changed,

and that a contract will be made for a house worth about

$30,000. I hope to get $10,000 here, and fully that

amount abroad. To-morrow night we* have a consulta

tion meeting to decide, when we will make an ef

fort to test -the material aid question; after that is set

tled, my attention will be mainly given to raising money.

I cannot preach with these harrassing anxieties pressing

upon me--indeed it seems to me now, that I never can

again, but it is necessary to keep up worship and agitate

constantly the Baptist interest. Something, I hope, has

been accomplished."

,

Under date of March 7th, 1853, he writes:

" The question of a house I consider settled; as also its location. We can now count very surely upon $22,000 here--this will only leave $7,000 or $8,000 to be collected abroad. The plan of the building is being drawn, and the material contracted for. This week they commence delivering tljie brick.
"To-day I collected $1,500. In a few. days I expect to swell the amount some thousands. If I had com menced such an agency twenty years earlier, I might "have made a beggar, but it is too late and an up-hill business. I have this consolation, however, that this is

a good work, though not aa easy one. I have been

82

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

well received, and the main effect of my mission thus far has been to inspire confidence here and abroad. I am organizing a Sabbath school and prayer-meeting, and hope to make an arrangement for regular preaching before I leave. I feel a firm confidence that our cause will assume a new aspect, and that in a few years there will be several Baptist churches in the city.
" My anxiety for quiet life is in no degree abated by the experience of life in a bustling city. I long to return to my dear charge, and nothing but an,overwhelming sense of duty would induce me to exchange my church, and friends in Columbus, for this place. My present labor may result in some good. I pray God it may; but I am by no means satisfied that this is the place for me, or that I am the man for the place."
/
The subject of remaining in New Orleans, or return ing home, caused my brother great anxiety. He felt keenly the separation from his church and family, but was willing to make any sacrifice the circumstances demanded. In a letter to his wife, he writes:
"It seems to me the hand of Providence is in this whole matter, and while I fear to move in it and distrust my own ability, I more fear to shrink from it I think a few days will decide my duty. If it should appear that I am mistaken in conceiving it my duty to be here, no one more than I will rejoice at the indications which would justify my immediate return. You know that for months we have been praying for Divine protection; might it not be dangerous now to resist the indications of Provi dence which seem to make it my duty for the present to remain ? Success in this effort would be worth a life time ol labor."
V The matter of remaining in New Orleans, or returning

LIFE. OF JOHN E. DAMSON.

83

home,, was settled providentially. An attack of cholera made a return to his family necessary.
In 1345 he attended the session of the Southern Bap tist Convention, which met at Montgomery, Ala. The night but one, before adjournment, something like a mass meeting was held. The various interests of the Con vention were represented by different speakers. I remem ber seeing upon the platform Rev. Mr. Poindexter, Rev. TG. Jones> Dr. Howell, Rev. Mr. Jeter, Dr. H. H. Tucker, Dr. J. E. Dawson. I believe all were participants. I donot recollect the part in the programme assigned my brother, I only remember that the closing address was liis, and that he made the most decided failure I ever knew him to make. There was strength enough in his effort, I thought, to assert that Samson stood before usr but feebleness sufficient to proclaim that Samson was shorn of his locks. A dear brother whd was present, in writing, to me npon the subject, says:
" This effort fell far below, any other I ever heard or read of his. I saw when he came on the platform a want of object and concentration in his eye, but knew not the cause of it until afterwards. A wrong impres sion wentfar and wide as to his ability"
Dr. James P. Boyce supplies the reason :
" The committee on the case of Rev. I. J. Roberts--a returned missionary from China upon trial--of which your brother was chairman, had been up all of the pre vious night, which was the last of several protracted sessions. It adjourned about five o'clock in thennorning, and had to meet the Convention at eight o'clock, at which, time it was expected to report Every member of the committee was exhausted, your brother the most of all, as he had been kept constantly occupied with the case, because of his position on the committee. I know

84

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

lie felt himself compelled to decline to prepare or present

the report. If any vindication of his speech that night

is necessary, surely this would furnish abundant expla

nation. I cannot close thh letter without expressing my

gratitude to you for the preparation of this memoir. * *

I learned to love and revere your brother for the ster

ling worth of his character and its great loveliness. Un

surpassed as was the admiration of til for his wonderful

powers of oratory, he was loved for his private excel

lencies even more than_| esteemed for his intellectual

powers."

'

The disease which terminated his earthly career now

began to develop itself. Worn down by disease and

anxiety of mind, he thus writes to his long-tried friend,

Rev. C. D. Mallary:

"Between an unexpected loss of several thousand

dollars, want of health, and, as I think, unkind treatment

of some who call themselves Southern Baptists, I feel

greatly discouraged and almost determined to hide

myself away in some obscure corner."

He several times felt it his duty to resign the charge

of the Columbus church on account of physical inability

to perform the accessary duties of a pastor; bust pastor

and people were closely united and he found it difficult

to sever the tie, and so he continued to serve the church

in great weakness and suffering until 1856. That the

connection continued affectionate and pleasant to the

end, will appear from the following resolutions, passed

when ' at length the state of his health forced him to

retire from the ministry, except an occasional sermon.

The following resolutions were unanimously adopted by the Columbus church, upon accepting his resignation, Jan. 5th, 1856:
" A letter from Rev. J. E. Dawson was read in confer-

LIFE OF JOHH E. DAVfSOTS.

fry

cnce tendering tcr the church his resignation1 as pastor;
"Resolved, That, whereas, our beloved .pastor, Elder J. E, Dawson, has, through much affliction and arduous labor, served this church as pastor through a period of nine years, until his enfeebled health constrains him to tender his resignation. We feel it our duty to> give expression to our feelings on this occasion.
"Resolved, That we receive Bro. Dawson's resignation with unfeigned sorrow. We pray God that his valuable life may be spared for many years of usefulness.
Resolved. That while we release him from the pastoral1 responsibilities, we tender to him our earnest desire that he will still visit us and labor for us as frequently as his health will permit."
While pastor of the Columbus church, he assisted in the ordination of Rev. M. B. Hardin, a devoted minister now laboring successfully in Texas. I extract a feV sentences from a letter I had the pleasure of receiving from him:
FROM REV. M. B. HARDIN.
" It delighted! my heart when I saw it announced that you proposed writing a memoir of our sainted and beloved Bro. Dawson. I have known him from boy hood, and to love him it grew and strengthened with my maturer years. He was a man of soul, a perfect gentle man, and not only a noble-hearted Christian, but a Christian nobleman. He laid his hands on my head in holy ordination. O, how well I remember the firm, earnest, yet holy and mellow play of his countenance while he delivered that solemn charge to me. I saw him last a little before his death; he was slowly' languishing into life.' O, what a glorious fruition* he has- of God. now, without any veil between."

86

LIFE OF JOHN E. TDAWSON.

Writing Trom Columbus to Rev. C. D. Mallary, May 58th, 1858:
" An interesting meeting is in progress toere. I have never seen so general a work in this community, affect ing all classes. Many of the oldest, best citizens are professing Christ, and up to last night the Work seems progressing. Judge Wellborn joined the church on Wednesday. He spoke, in relating his experience, about one hour; it was deeply interesting and instructive, and displayed the simplicity of a child. There is very little difference in the talk of a great man and & poor negro when they tell of God's dealings with their hearts," etc.
Some time after his resignation of the Columbus pastorate, he accepted an agency to raise money for the endowment of the Sander'-s Professorship in the Mercer University.
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM MR. S. P. SANDFORD, PRO
FESSOR OF MERCER UNIVERSITY.
" With Dr. Davvson I was well acquainted, and for him I ever entertained the highest regard, both on account of his piety as a Christian minister, and his whole-souled geniality as a man. I remember distinctly when he was appointed agent for ' Mercer.' It was at a time when the faith of the denomination in the ultimate' success of the College had begun to "flag, and many were ready to pronounce the enterprise ' a failure.' A man of the hopeful, energetic temperament of your brother was needed to revive the drooping faith, and awaken the flagging energies of the denomination. In Pe'nfield, when we first heard of his appointment; all pronounced ft the most judicious that could have been made, and well' and nobly did he fulfill his mission. By his energetic advocacy of the claims of the College on fhe denomina tion, he strengthened the wavering, he aroused the apa-

OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

87

thetic, and by his earnest and well-timed appeals secured donations from the wealthy, which contributed in no inconsiderable a degree to its present endowment. On some of these points I can speak confidently from my own personal knowledge. I frequently visited the town of Forsyth, in Monroe county, and from that region of Georgia, Mercer in former years received a large patron age, and, in my opinion, the larger portion of this was attributable' to the personal influence of Dr. Dawson. while pursuing the agency for the College.
"Another point wherein his agency was effective for good to the College, I will mention: The denomina tion had not then become so fully alive to the import ance of theological education, as it has since. Indeed, in many parts of our State, there was a prejudice against ministers who had gone through a regular course of theological training. In the prosecution of his agency, Dr. Dawson made it a special point to combat these prejudices, and to insist upon a thorough, practical train ing in a theological school for the young candidate for the ministry whenever it was possible to obtain it. And I have no doubt that to-his influence in urging the ne cessity of thorough ministerial education both upon the churches and young ministers, we are to attribute much of that enlightened zeal which now prevails throughout our denomination in this State," etc.
LAST DAYS OF JOHN E. DAWSON.'
" Soon after brother Dawson came to Tuskegee, he was persuaded by many of his friends to submit to the " Water Treatment," there being an establishment of that kind in the town.. A few weeks made a perceptible improvement in his health, and inspired the hope that; if he would continue the treatment sufficiently long it would permanently restore him. But alas 4 how vain inhuman

88

LIKE OF JOHJT E. DAWSON.

hope against the Divine determination! So soon as he felt the glow of health returning to his wasted form, his restless spirit, so long caged within its diseased tenement, panted for its wonted liberty. An overture from his-old friends in Georgia to take an agency for a few months for " Mercer University "--an institution as dear to him as the apple of his eye, and which had shared his pray ers, his solicitudes and best services for more than a quarter of a century--was promptly accepted. In vain did his Tuskegee friends remonstrate; in vain did they urge him to await the issue of a treatment which prom ised, at no distant day, to eradicate the insidious disease which had for years been preying upon him. The call of his brethren be recognized as the call^ of his divine Master. What right had any servant of Christ to disre gard His call ? What was health, nay, what was life, when weighed against the stern demands of duty ? Had he not consecrated all to the service of his Redeemer thirty years ago? and now, could he refuse the little remnant of strength that still remained to Him who gave his life for us ? No! no! The path of duty, to his mind, was plain, and he entered it with all the enthusi asm of his nature.
" The writer will confess, that as he took leave of his friend when he entered this perilous service, he did it xvith a sad heart. He had reasoned, nay, he had pro tested against what he believed would soon deprive the denomination of one of its brightest lights. But what was the cold, calculating-logic of the head in a rencounter with the impassioned logic of Dawson's heart ?
" A month or two sufficed to blight all the hopes of his Georgia, and verify the fears of his Alabama, breth ren. What with the fatigues of travel, constant preach ing, that stress of mind ano heart incident to such an

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

89

agency as he was filling, dnd, it may be added, the con stantly, recurring demands of every social circle he entered, soon told the sad tale. He more than lost, in the six or eight weeks, all that he had gained by as many months of rest and careful treatment. His career in this agency, though brilliant, was short The sight of old friends--the afivocacy of a life-cherished object--the fact that he was again permitted to indulge the great passion of his life in preaching " the unsearchable riches of Christ"--all combined to draw out the very last remains of strength that some-of us thought had been rallied to preserve a precious life. A ministering brother who associated with him in a meeting toward the latter part of his agency, relates an incident worth preserving. Quite a religious interest had manifested itself under his -preaching at a country church, and this brother had been sent for to assist him in the meeting. On his arri val, he found brother Dawson greatly debilitated from his labors. He was scarcely able to travel back and x forth from the meeting; bat nevertheless, he could not remain silent--his heart would kindle with the occa sions. After retiring from the service, leaning on the arm of this brother, he (brother T.) ventured a delicate remonstrance against, such intense labor in his enfeebled condition. Pausing and withdrawing his arm, and raising himself to his full height, and with one of those pene trating looks which no man cared to provoke more than once, he said : ' Sir, I would not give a straw for that minister who could talk on these high questions with less 1 than all the earnestness of his soul.' Of course the sub ject was instantly dropped, and brother T. conducted the tottering footsteps of the invalid to his room to rest until the next service.
" This short campaign substantially closed the mmls7

gO

LIFE OF JOHW E. DAWSON.

terial career of Dawson; but it was such a close to a life

of devotion to his Master and to humanity as is seldom

surpassed or equalled. It was not unlike some evening

sunset. We'have seen the great luminary of day, after

a temporary obscurity, suddenly burst forth in all his

glory, and 'darting his rays mid-heaven, literally bathe

the whole western horizon in his golden beams. And

thus ended the ministerial life of this singularly gifted

man. All who enjoyed his last labors aver that for

brilliancy, and power, and effectiveness, they were not

surpassed by those of any part of his life.

H."

At a meeting of Bethel Association In Albany, says a

writer in the Index, over the signature of " Amicus,"

" I heard Dr. Dawson for the "last time. Disease was

then making frightful inroads upon his constitution.

The Association had given an evening to this agency.

Owing to the feeble state of Bro. Dawson's health, a

friend--Dr. Crawford, I think,--represented the cause in

a speech, resulting in a large subscription. After the

conclusion' of the speech, the Agent for the Female Col

lege then being built in Cuthbert, arose and remarked

"that much had been said in behalf of the boys; that

we had a Female College, about which nothing had been

said, that he had 50 which he would give to the Col

lege for a speech in its behalf Dr. Dawson sprang to

his feet and asked:

"'' Will the good brother accept my services ? *

"Being answered in the affirmative, he laid aside his

overcoat, and. by way of exordium remarked that he had

been in bed ail day--had been bleeding from his lungs;

but if he never stood before another audience, or made

another speech; if that effort should be his last--that

audience should hear his last appeal--that last speech

and those last words his lips might ever utter, should be

LIFE OF J0p E. DAWSON.

9!

in behalf of woman. How the heart warms at the sacred names of mother, sister, wife! God less woman! His last, best gift to man, etc. And for half an hour he poured forth a torrent of eloquence, matchless, over powering eloquence, such as few in that audience ever heard before. For the time he overcome the power of disease, his fine form expanded, the flush of youthful manhood returned to his cheeks, the fire of genius shone in his eyes. Every word, every thought, every move ment, indicated the orator the master-spirit .that moves,, sways and commands the passions of men."

CHAP. IX.
DR. TEAGUE'S REMINISCENCES--1856 TO 1859.
"How precious is a frient?s mind, when that friend is no more."
) EV. E. B. TEAGUE furnishes some interesting . reminiscences of my brother: " I first saw Bro. Dawson at the bi-ennial Convention, which met at Nashville in May, 1851. Suffering from disease of the heart, he declined to preach, as appointed by the com mittee on religious exercises, and did not take any veny active part in the business; delivering a brief address, however, in connection with designation exercises, pre paratory to the departure of a number of missionaries for China.' His personnel interested me, and impressed me unusually. I formed his acquaintance at the Ala bama State Convention, at Tuskegee m 1853 or '54, and heard him preach. The discourse was fervent and elo quent, but not, I think, one of ^his more rqnarkable efforts. On the afternoon of the same day, the Sunday schools of the place were addressed by Dr. Mallary and. himself. Dr. Mallary, who had recently received the degree-of D.D., was introduced by Gen'1 Gunn in that character. The good old man made a characteristic speech to thfe effect that if the father of a family should go on a long voyage or tour^ of travel, and promise a letter to his children from time to time, giving them particular directions how to demean themselves until he should come, these children would, con every sentence and word in these letters with the utmost interest and

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LIFE OF JOHN E. 'DAWSON.

icare, as conveying to them a father's wishes'and a father's love. Now, continued the speaker, God, your Heavenly Father, has sent you a big letter full of a Father's love and a Father's will. By and by he will send His Son, and take home his loving and obedient children. How

earnest you should be to read every sentence and every word of His great letter, the Bible--the book divine. When he had seated himself, Gen'1 Gunn introduced

the Rev. Mr. Dawson, of Columbus, who, rising with a.' face suffused with emotion and gleaming.with humor,

began:

"' Children, Bro. Gunn introduced the good old man who has just taken his seat as the Rev. Dr. Mallary, of LaGrange! You see what a sweet, smiling face he has, but he don't like big titles, and if I were to meet him on the streets of LaGrange and call him Doctor, you can't tell how sour he would look. Do you call him ' Uncle Cliarks,' children, and he could not help laughing."

" Dr. Mallary had written several excellent books for children as ' Uncle Charles.' Addressing himself to the boys in a strain of subdued, but inimitable humor, he drew a picture of a schoolmate who used to sit at the same dAk with him, .and who commenced a career of

gambling at marbles and push pin, and described most dramatically how the boy used to put both hands in his pockets and rattle his marbles with triumph, and fill his coat, from collar to skirt, with pins won from other boys, who would even steal them from their mothers to renew the game after disaster. These early habits' terminated in the poor fellow's becoming, in mature life, a confirmed gambler.' The speaker's lip quivered, his voice trembled, a shade of deep solemnity gathered over his features, tears coursed down his face, as the sad memories came up, and we all entered into the*sorrow with ,him.

UIFE OF JOHS E. DAWSON.

95

" Reacting after a few moments into a more cheerful mood, he playfully said:
"' Girls, I know the nature of your sex--you don't like to be neglected, and I have something to say to you r He then gave a most vivid picture of two little girls, one an heiress, an only child, petted and Spoiled, scorning the other--a child of poor parentage, whom some benevolent ladies had brought into the same Suit.day school.
"After a few years, the little heiress grew into a fine, fashionable woman and married a wealthy young man. They lived for a while in luxury and splendor, but pres ently the young man, also a spoiled child of fortune, began to be dissipated, to engage in games of hazard, and in a few years wasted the patrimony of both.
"Meanwhile the little* charity Sunday school scholar grew up industrious and sensible, married a deserving mechanic, who became a successful master builder, built a nice cottage, which she surrounded with shrubbery and embowered in vines. And the last he knew of the par ties, he saw the mechanic's wife as she was going through the suburbs of the city carrying provisions for the child ren of the once proud heiress, now living in a poor, smoky cabin, away out on the edge of the common! The lessons, so delicately drawn, I will not attempt to describe, nor the touching portraiture of the poor girl's generosity, who had so nobly forgotten the slights endured in childhood. Daguerreoryped forever on my memory were fte happy efforts of Bro. Dawson, though the best reporter 'could commit to paper only a faint' conception of an eloquence, aided by voice, look'and manner, as no other man's was, I ever saw.
" During my pastorate in LaGrange, from 1855 until his death, I saw him frequently and became intimately

96

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

acquainted with the subject of these reminiscences--he gave me his confidence and often aided me with his counsel and advice. This communication was kept up after his removal to Tuskegee, as editor of the South western Baptist. I perhaps knew as much of his inner life and sentiments as any one else.
" His character was most frank and fearless, his impa tience of everything disingenous or grovelling almost intolerant, his sympathies most generous, ardent, intense, fervent He loved the ministry and the souls of men with a passion unutterable, and his Divine Master with the humility of a converted soul, regarding himself as 'less than the least of all Saints,' because his youth had been far from God. Dr. Tucker once remarked, in speaking of him, that' he was a man who undoubtedly loved the Lord Jesus in sincerity.' He rarely preached for me; his health being poor, and his eagerness to hear another very great. Of his zeal I had many proofs--I will record one illustration. While temporarily acting as Agent for Mercer University, just before he went to Tuskegee, on a visit to Greenville, Georgia, he was induced to preach a few times, or ' talk} as iie called it. An awakening resulted. After a few days--as- the pas tor was in ill health--I was sent for to assist and relieve Bro. Dawson. He was very feeble ; would not go in the pulpit as he alternated, with me, but took his stand at the communion table, below the pulpit, leaning over the Bible, and thus supporting himself with both hands. Ever and anon, however, as he fired with the subject, he would forget his infirmities andl stand erect in all the majesty and empressment of the days of his vigor. When services were over, I had constantly to support him like a tottering child to our lodgings. The interest with which we heard him was abated by the painful

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

Qf

sympathy we felt for an utterly exhausted man. I felt great reverence for him, and feared to remonstrate, vvheni I knew, he was willing ' to spend and be spent' for any people. But constrained by his threatening condition, I ventured on one occasion, as we were returning from; church, to say:
"' Bro. Dawson, 'allow me~to remonstrate with you ;* you must not exert yourself so much. I fear it will be of serious consequence.'
" He stopped, and turning his face to me, with an ex pression once seen never to be forgotten--which it assumed when he was determined ,upon a labor of love,, cost what it might--he said, in a voice almost grieved":
"' I would not give a straw for a man who can speak: upon these great subjects quietly; you speak,vyourself, with all the vehemence in you.'
" Upon his return from the Virginia Springs, I wasinvited to an interview peculiarly solemn--his last visit to LaGrange, when he never expected to get out of the room in which he was lying. When I.entered the roomr ' several persons were present; he conversed affectionately with all. After awhile, all retired but yourself and the writer of this sketch". He remarked:
"' There are some things I wish to be known after I am gone. I have been regarded by some of my breth ren as an Arminian. T/iat is not so. I belieye firmly i the sovereign, electing, love of God. I have never dis cussed these highi themes much, because I have not understood them, and I do not like to meddle with ques tions too high for me. Nothing could be so painful to me as the idea of God's conniving at sin, or regarding it with the least allowance. The thought of banishment from His holy presence forever, would be less painful by far. No! the feast sin against so holy, and just, and

98

LIFE OF JOHN E. OJAWSON.

good a Being, is utterly unpardonable on any other ground than the free offering of His Son.' And passing to the thought of God's holiness, and to the calling and acceptance of a sinner through Jesus, such a sinner as he had been, by such a Being,' glorious in holiness, fearful in praises,' he rose into an exaltation such as I have xarely or never witnessed. I regret I cannot describe the scene as it occurred."
HIS EDITORIAL CAREER.
" Dr. Dawson's editorial career surprised us all. We expected, of course, he would do his work well, but we could -not bring ourselves up to the expectation that so .great a preacher could be a writer also. It was too much to expect of one man. Besides every one knew that his eloquence was of a kind that could not be successfully . written; but it turned out that he wrote with great vigor and versatility, showing a logical acumen above his ordiaiary pulpit efforts, and a power of analysis and discrimi nation quite remarkable, with a style luminous, tasteful, and spirited." *
In 1858, the degree of D.D. was conferred upon Rev. J. E. Dawson, by Mercer University.
As the reputation of Dr. Dawson must depend mainly upon the recollections of his friends, and particularly his ministering brethren, I deem myself fortunate in being able to procure the testimony of so many persons of piety and ability.
All who know Dr. H. H. Tucker, will readily agree with me, that no man is more competent to form correct opinions, or more frank and candid in their avowal. He says of my brother:
" Dr. Dawson was what is called a high-strung man. He had a delicate sense of honor, keen sensibilities, and quick, .impetuous temper, combined with generous im-

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

99

pulses, and a warm, sympathetic nature. He was a veryfearless man, and was the embodiment of courage, both imoral and physical--still he was not usually rash. He 'knew how to keep cool when it was proper to do so, and displayed a calmness of judgment, and oftentimes a tact and sagacity not common to men of his tempera ment Grace subdued him, and modified all his charac ter, and made him an humble minister of the New Tes tament. The providence of God confined his labors within a comparatively small sphere. But if ihe had been a politician, instead of a preacher, he would doubt less have been one of the most prominent men in the United States. He had a commanding person, most winning manners, great force of character, and was one of the most eloquent speakers I ever heard. He never studied oratory--he never tried to be an orator--he was an orator because he could not help it; his eloquence was inborn; he had only to rise in an assembly, and every eye was fixed on him; he had only to speak, and that in the most artless and effortless mannei, and every eye was attentive. As he warmed with discourse, his 'man ner became more excited, his eye kindled, and his face almost literally shone, so that no one could but think of Moses, when he came down from the mount It is need less to say that the hearts of his hearers were soon in spired with his own enthusiasm. Still, like all other natural orators whose eloquence is the offspring of the moment, and therefore subject to the modifying influence of circumstances, he did not always attain to the highest success, and sometimes failed of success altogether. * * His literary attainments were respectable, but he had not the nature of a student Artificial training and long continued habits of self-culture would have improved
him greatly. His ordinary efforts would then have

IOO

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

been brought nearer to a level with bis best perform ances, and would have been what most men would have called extraordinary. As it was, he was simply a gifted, brilliant child of nature; the best arts of the schools would strive in vain to imitate his effortless eloquence, and yet those arts, as a supplement to his native gifts, would have greatly multiplied his power. Taking him altogether, and regarding both his splendid successes, and his occasional failures, it is not easy to decide which is best illustrated--the power of genius on its own occa sions; or the necessity of academic training and studious habits, in order to a success which shall be regular, steady and habitual.
" As a writer, he was not particularly distinguished. Still, when editor of the South- Western Baptist, he sur prised his friends by the exhibition of an ability for which they had1 not given him credit. - * * * The truth is, he was a. man of power, and to whatever he devoted himself he gave it a strong impulse. People' imagined because he was an orator he could be nothing else,' but the same force that gave him distinction there, would have made him distinguished in any other depart ment of life. If he had had the training1*of Edward Everett, he would have been as far superior to him as genius is to ordinary talent If his tastes had been such as to lead him to scientific study, he would Have died with the reputation of a philosopher. But his personal peculiarities, and the circumstances of his early life, made s him what he was--not a scholar, but a,preacher; not always in the highest degree instructive, but bold, elo quent, and remarkably successful in influencing the hearts of men for good. I thank God that He sometimes sends an Apollos like this to the churches. I thank God, too,, that those endowed by nature with less shining pacts

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

IOI

may supplement their deficiencies by learning wisdom at the feet of Gamaliel; that science and art are available to many who are denied the gifts of genius, and that by the aid of these, an earnest man, of fair talents, may attain to a success, whose average Is high, and to a degree of usefulness not often surpassed, even by the sons of thunder."

CHAP. X.
1859 TO
" Like Enoch, be walked with God through all the difficult and tangled paths of life, was sustained by Him in the hours of his weak ness, guarded by Him in the hours of his peril, and fellowship with Him grew more intimate, more ennobling, more concilatoiy, year by year."
N 1859 Rev. Dr. Dawson was invited to the editorial 'chair of the South-Western Baptist as successor to 'Rev. S. Henderson. He accepted the position. Rev. H. E. Taliaferro was his colleague. In his valedictory, Rev. S. Henderson remarks: "To pursue the active duties of the ministry has been the passion of my heart for nearly twenty years. I have felt ever since my connection with the press, that my edito rial career was an episode; and for five long years have I sighed for that release from its duties which would leave me free to pursue the great business of my life-- ' to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ.' And now that the providence of God has opened the way for me to carry out this long cherished wish of my heart, I can but express my devout gratitude to His adorable name. I have said that the providence of God has opened the way for me to execute this cherished wish of my heart. I doubt not the 'friends of the Baptist will join me in the sentiment when I say a brother far more eminently .qual ified than any of my friends can suppose me to be for the position, has been kindly provided, I must believe by Infinite Wisdom, to succeed me. Several years ago Rev.

IO4

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

John E. Dawson was compelled to retire from the min istry on account of failing health. It is not likely that he can ever be restored to its more active labors. If he ever serves the Master's cause with the efficiency he desires, it must be thro" the press. I think, therefore, that the withdrawal of my name, and the connection of Bro. Dawson's name with the paper as one of its editors, is a wise and proper construction of this providence."
I extract one or two sentences from Dr. Dawson's salutatory: " * * * Our opinions of the doctrines and ordinances of the New Testament compel us to be a Baptist, but nothing shall influence us to be a mere partizan or sectarian. If we shall differ from others, and from conviction of duty shall oppose their errors, or teach what we believe to be the truth, it will be our aim to do it in the spirit of Christ, without abating in the least the rigor of principle or compromising our distinc tive peculiarities."
One of his first editorials was upon the subject of Christian courtesy: " It is a melancholy fact that men are more excitable on religious than on any other sub jects, and it is a reproach to Christianity that on points of controversy they indulge a latitude of expression which in any other relation would be considered discour teous, if not offensively rude. Why is this? Surely there is nothing in Christianity to justify it; and he knows but little of the human mind, and heart, who hopes to reform men by such a policy. You must, if you would influence the opinions of those who differ from you on such subjects, win upon their kindly feelings, and inspire them with confidence in your candor and general Christian character. Reproachful words, unkind insinuations, illiberal assumptions, intolerance, never did, and never will reform errorists."

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

IOJ

The churches of the Baptist'denomination had long been unsettled, and distracted by the conflicting opinions of leading men upon the various progressive movements of the denomination, as well as attempted innovations upon their old established .principles and usages. To the piety of the churchs this strife, and wrangling, had become painful, almost unbearably so. -
My brother was a lover of peace, but he " wore his s\Vord upon his thigh," ready to draw it fearlessly, and to deal ponderous blows in defence of those principles and measures he loved better than life. In reply to a letter of sympathy and encourgerhents from his venera ble friend, Governor Wilson Lumpkin, of Georgia, hewrites :
" We fully sympathize with the general anxiety for peace in our beloved Zion, for it we intend to labor and pray, and for it we are prepared to make the largest concessions which conscience and principle will allow but to purchase it at the sacrifice of the vital peculiarities alluded to, is utterly impossible. There is not a man or institution now in existence which we would not at once>. and forever, abandon, sooner than relinquish these prin ciples, .with our convictions of their truthfulness and importance. We hope ever to defend and teach them in the spirit of 'Christ, but to compromise and abandon them, never! * * * That the peace of' churches is largely endangered no sane man can doubtMany good brethren with, as we think, mistaken zeal,. are pressing men and measures upon the church in uttercontempt of the cherished principles oft he denomination : what but confusion can become of this ? We are not alarmists, but we see a coming peril, and in the spirit of charity we affectionately warn our dear brethren not to urge measures which, if insisted upon, must divide our
8

Id6

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

churches. 'Some of the brethren most active in these movements have been most anxious for peace, and have mot a little concerned themselves to effect personal recon ciliations ; but can they hope for peace, or re-union, or success in our churches, as long as the foundations of pur organizations are trampled under foot ? The hope is vain, the end impossible."
After reading this reply to Governor Lumpkin, Dr. Mallary wrote a letter to the SoutJt- Western Baptist, from which I make the following extracts:
DR. MALLARY TO DR. DAWSON.
" Dear Bro. Dawson,--And has my dear old Georgia friend taken his seat at length in the chair editorial ? It is so. How strange! Five years ago who would have dreampt it? And if one year ago I had dreampt it, I should have been reminded, very naturally, of Shakspeare's ' baseless fabric of a vision.'
" But I think I see in the unexpected event a provi dential hand; and, therefore, I rejoice in it, though in my selfishness I might have rejoiced somewhat more, if your chair could have stood somewhere on Georgia soil. But the Lord appoints for His servants their work, and fixes the bounds of their habitations. You have come to your post at an important time, and I trust for important good. You will need much grace and wisdom for your new duties, but you have long since learned where these are to be found, and you may feel assured of the warm sympathies and sincere prayers of many Christian hearts. Allow me to congratulate Jyou upon your good begin ning. I have noticed with particular pleasure your remarks suggested by the letter of our venerable Bro. Lumpkin. I am pleased with the spirit of the editorial and general positions you take. I think they must commend themselves to the great body of consistent

IJFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.
T
Baptists, and that they will be practically sustained by the denomination at large. Greatfundamentalprinciples must be maintained! A firm, kind, invincible adherence to these, is one of the most efficient means of securing peace--that peace which is Scriptural, salutary and abiding. Your distinct announcement that you intend to ' labor and pray for peace,' and that you ' are prepared to make the largest concessions which conscience and principle will allow,' greatly pleased me. I knew it before. You have already made a practical demonstra tion of your sincerity, and given a noble pledge of what we may expect in the future. Were all our brethreft that have been engaged in the unhappy difficulties of the times, possessed fully of the like spirit, I am confident that we should soon witness a happy and lasting adjust ment of these matters. I have never allowed myself to despair of such adjustment, because the resources of divine grace are so infinite, and the hearts of all men are in the hands of our kind and Almighty Saviour. This is our hope. * * * In laboring for the settlement of such difficulties as now disturb, and have for so long a time disturbed, the denomination, there are two great errors to be guarded against First There must not be from timidity, nor from a false, mistaken expediency, a relaxing of our hold upon the great princi ples that have ever characterized us as a people, and which v we conscientiously believe to be in accordance with the Sacred Oracles. -Amongst these is the great principle of Church Independency, which many of us think has been ' dealt hardly by, but which cannot, must not, be surren dered to meet the improper demands of kind, amiable
natures, nor the suggestions of unscriptural policy. If
this principle falls, we are no longer Baptists; there is
..no longer a properly constructed New Testament church

IG8

UFE OF JO3JI E. DAVVSON. t

upon the earth. What, Bro. Dawson, are,, yotr and 1 personally in comparison with this great, sacred princi, ciple ? What are a thousand or ten thousand such poor erring mortals, as to their own personal interests and ends, in comparison with the well protected vitality and vigorous perpetuity of. this great doctrine of Jesus ? It is natural that we should become wearied with strife and discussion; and under such circumstances the temptation with some is for the sake of quiet to yidd to expedients. Against this we must all watch and pray. Secondly. There is an opposite error which, with equal watchful ness, must be guarded against A passionate, prejudiced, pertinacious adherence to punctilios; to secondary mat ters that may be consistently yielded for the sake of peace. In long-standing difficulties a thousand hasty, ill-natured and ill-advised things are said and done. When the passions are up, good men, men that on the whole are devoted to principle, and if need be, would go to the stake for the defence of truth, commit many sad indiscretions. They use bitter words; they are uncharitable; they misunderstand T- they exaggerate; diminish; they do a multitude of unlovely things. Now, if the history of all such things as these that have occurred amongst us for the last few years could be written out, might we not say, as the Apostle John said of another matter, " the world itself could not contain the books ?" Ah ! what Baptist name, preacher, layman, would not be found somewhere on the unheavenly record ? Now, are we not to |have peace until all these numberless follies are overhauled, counted, weighed, adjudicated? As well might we say we will sit down

and count, and criticise, and weigh the sands of the sea shore, and then we may look for calm wftather. There

must be a generous, noble forgetting of a thousand

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

. 109

things. There must be a large margin left for the play of Christian magnanimity and sweet, forgiving charity Brethren must not be too fastidious. They must notencumber the settlement ot great difficulties by tugging into the highway of adjustment [every dead carcass that can be found. They must not twist all their whims and hastily formed opinions, and imprudent passionate com mittals, into great fundamental principles. Each one must enter into the sacred, secret, solemn retirement of his own wrestling place, and there confess his own sins and follies, and plead on till his own soul melts into holy and humble penitence, until the gracious response from Heaven echoes through his soul ' Thy sins are forgiven, go in peace;' and then he must come forth, and with a bright face and loving heart, exclaim, ' God has pardoned much--I am prepared, ye saints of the Lord, to forgive much. God has given me a heart to overlook, to bury in the depths of the sea a multitude of the errors of my brethren. I am prepared to make the largest conces sions which conscience and principle will allow, for the sake of jpeace.'
" How long could our strifes hold up their heads against such a spirit as this?
" You allude, Bro. Dawson, with great propriety, to the improper pressing forward in the churches of ' men add measures.' Your apprehensions as to the evil result of such things are not groundless, and your affectionate and earnest warnings are wise and timely. O, that we had ears to hear! At this time everything possible should be avoided that is calculated to transplant exist ing difficulties to new fields; to commit our churches . and associations to party measures; to smother down the great throbbings of the Baptist heart for a scriptural peace. This tendency to good is from Heaven. It

tlO

UFE OF JOHN r. DATV30W.

should not be grieved or clogged. It should be nour ished with sacred care. Some good beginnings haye been made; the vantage ground should not be wrested out of each other's hands by hasty and inconsiderate measures. I would unite my humble expostulations with your own, and beseech ' our dear brethren not to urge measures which; if insisted upon, must divide our churches.'"
I make no apology for transferring' to this memoir solarge a part of this characteristic letter. There never was a time in the history of the church, and I fear never will be, when its counsel and warnings will not be sea sonable. Dr. Mallary and Dr. Dawson were true yoke fellows. " They were not content to be heroes without a scratch." Fearlessly, and unflinchingly, these consecra ted soldiers of the cross battled for the privileges and prosperity we" are now quietly enjoying. They went to their graves bearing the scars of many a wound. " Now that their labors are over, we may, in some measure, gauge their work." Success has vindicated their opinions and positions.
How bright and pure the examples they have left I How sacred should their names be held!
Some of the vexed questions of the day were: " Is ft consistent with the teachings of the New Testament, or with the uniform practice of Baptist charches, to receive the excluded members of another ?
" Is there 'any appeal from the decisions of a church any higher tribunal authorized by the New Testament ?
" Is it scriptural, and Baptistic, for councils, district and general associations to settle and determine the local questions of the churches ?"
The arguments pro and con upon these subjects-- some of them a little too,highly seasoned--drew from Dr.

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

Ill'

Dawson the subjoined article upon Church Independence. Though somewhat lengthy, it will repay a careful perusal.
CHURCH INDEPENDENCE.
" This subject is attracting very general attention, and is now of great practical importance. Baptist churches claim this as a distinctive peculiarity. What is meant by it? Are they absolutely independent? Independency in ecclesiastical affairs is a system ' in which each congre gation of Christians is a complete church, subject to no. superior authority, and competent to perform every act of government in ecclesiastical affairs.' But do Baptists contend for a government unlimited by extraneous power or control ? If so, the whole question of church union and comity is resolved into one short sentence,--Do as you please. A member excommunicated by one church to-day--no matter for what offense--may be restored by another in the same hour, and that ends it; the excluded is fully restored to the. Baptist-family. The absurdity demonstrates the falsehood of the position. There is but one absolute independent in the universe--that is God. The churches of Jesus Christ are strictly judicial and executive, and are, therefore, restricted independen cies--restricted as to their allegiance to Him, who is the Head; and as to their conduct to and intercourse with individuals, members, and sister churches. Independ ent, certainly, as to any superior judicature. Where are these restrictions to be found, and what is their limit ? These are important questions, and we might add a second, i. e., in the absence of any Scripture example or precept--by what shall this independence be directed ? In relation to the first, there can be but one answer: The Word of God is the law--of this no church is, or can be independent; if the mind of Christ is known, the

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'limit is defined--no church can stretch its power beyond. Amendment, repeal, and substitution, are synonymous with rebellion. In relation to the sjcond, there is greater difficulty in defining the limit of power, or in deciding a rule of action. Great as are the embarrassments, it seems to us that a proper regard to the nature of the case, the genius of ourj religion, and to well-established principles, will lead to just conclusions. And such mainly has been the working of our Baptist organization. In suggesting a few thoughts, we/nust guard you against confounding the human with the divine. You must not take it for granted that everything which is called " Baptistic " is, therefore in the New Testament Nor must you too hastily discard a rule because it is not in so many words to be found in that book. Cases are con stantly arising which have no precedent in th,e Apostolic churches, and for which no specific rule is prescribed. To meet these we must look to well-established princi ples. Again, may we not be brought into confusion by . attempting to arrange a system which shall work hard ship to none ? It would seem quite enough to remove this trouble to suggest that when Christ establishes an institution, or announces a law, or discloses a general principle, we have nothing to do with hardships however, hard. He sees the end from the beginning--we cannot, and what may seem very cruel to us, may to Him be a necessary discipline. The word of God abounds with illustrations. A government based upon such a princi ple must ever be inefficient and vacilating.
"Thus guarded, we suggest:
" isL That the exercise of Church Independence should be limited by the law of love. Unless it can be demonstrated that this new commandment is limited by local organization--or is abrogated so far as churches

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113

are concerned, it would seem that this great principle, to its greatest extent, ought to predominate in every exer cise of Church authority. This is true, no matter who are to be affected by the action; how much more im perative in the case of churches banded under a cgmmon name, embracing the same principles, and laboring for the same objects. The regular Baptists constitute, by common consent, a Christian family, and although their churches are independent, that independence ' should never be so exercised as to infringe this holy, heavenly law. So to use it, is an abuse of power.
" 2. Church Independence should be limited by the 'unity of God's people. That the unity of His disciples was-an object dear to the heart of our Saviour during His incarnation, none can doubt Witness His earnest endeavors to suppress every appearance of ambition; how constantly He taughf them that they were brethren; listen to that memorable prayer: ' Neither pray I for . these alone, bu't for them also which shall believe on me through their word, that they may all be one; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me.' This is a visible unity, the world is to see it, and believe.
" Dare any one limit this prayer to one local society ? Nor were the Apostles without great anxiety upon this subject. Their Epistles abound with exhortations to unity, to walk in love, to live in peace; to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. Mark how earnestly they reprove such as cause divisions--schismatics--how they advise the churches to withdraw from such. Notice, ' too, the comity which obtained among the ^churches. Antioch was as independent as Jerusalem, and yet the former would not decide the question about circum-

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LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

cision without sending a delegation to know the mind of the latter, and the latter would not legislate for the former, but in the most affectionate and courteous man ner expresses her opinion. See the concert of the churches in sending their contributious for benevolent purposes by the same messengers. Notice the kind Christian gratulations, passing constantly through theApostles and Evangelists from one church to another. There were no Associations or Conventions in those days, and yet you see in all this the foundation for these as necessity should bring them into existence. Now, is not that an abuse of independency which ruptures these ties, v/hich alienates churches, which causes division, which hinders the accomplishment of Christ's prayer, and which brings reproach upon His name ?
" Were the churches invested with* this glorious boon for such purposes? Our Associations may not be recog nized in Heaven, but this bond of union is.
" It is not a mere appendage to Christian life, it is a part of it, and as this spirit obtains, either in individuals or communities, Christians affiliate--upon it, communities of churches are associated. It is a golden chain, bind ing together the Churches of the Saints. It is this which underlies all concert for the spread of the Gospel; it is the foundation of social Christian life, developing itself in all the minute ramifications of benevolence. No man can comprehend the beauty of the I33d Psalm who does not take in this great idea of Christian unity. Is it the prerogative of one local church, or a faction to spoil this beauty, to destroy this union, to paralyze the ener gies of a whole Christian family, and to introduce con fusion aad strife, when peace and love should abonnd ? Is this the,, mission of Church Independency? Did Christ protect you against the dominion of Popes, the

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.
assumptions of councils, the tyranny of associations, the anarchy of factions, that you might, in turn, become tyrants or schismatics ? This is Independency abused.
" 3. Church Independency should be restrained by the evident design of church discipline. That Christ
anticipated the necessity and exercise of discipline, even to exclusion, and that the Apostles insisted upon it, is clear. That it was exercised by individual Churches, there is no doubt; indeed, we know of no exception in the New Testament For what was discipline institu ted ? As to the Church, it was evidently for selfprotection, for the vindication of the'truth- and as to individuals,. if we may judge from the case of the incestuous person in the church at Corinth, it was for the correction of error, that the subject might be saved.
" Now, the question comes up, can the independency of one church be so exercised as to defeat the ends of discipline in another, and consequently in all' the churches? This is a question of great practical im portance, and should not be decided too hastily. It has been said, that if one church has the right to exclude upon its judgment of a case, another' church has the right to to restore the, excluded upon the judgment of the samecase--both being equally independent For illustration: the First church in Richmond excludes A., upon charges which she considers sufficient- and well sustained. On the same day, the Second church restores him to fellowship, upon the ground that in her ju'dgment the charges "are puerile and false, and it is main tained that in each case there is a legitimate exercise of Church Independency. Is this true? Does not the action of the Second utterly annihilate the authority of the First as to discipline ? And does it notApen the flood gates of discord and confusion upon the churches.
...

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LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

Suppose the First church to have erred in judgment, is this the remedy? We think not; we think it an abuse of Church Independency which ought not to be tole rated for one day--an abuse more deadly to the purity and peace of the churches, than any of which we canjconceive. Let it be borne in mind that there is' not one word, not one example, not one allusion, to govern such
a case in the New Testament If there was, the ques tion would be at an end; but no such question arose among the Apostles. No such case occurred. Where then must we look for guidance ? Evidently to general principles. We have suggested a few; others will occur to you. Test this doctrine by them. Can it be that the principles of the Gospel, the genius of Christianity, Christ's own cherished system, works such results. There is no mistaking results-r-this doctrine has ^ever ended in discord and ever must This fact alone brings the judgment to a conclusion almost as certain, as if it were guided by express law. Jesus Christ never would have prayed for the union of his people, and at the same time put in motion a system, most effectually to hinder it The Apostles never would have been guilty of the folly of instructing the churches to withdraw from cer tain characters with the understanding that they should on the same day be restored to other churches. If Christ has blessed us with church "independency," brethren, let us not: use it for unhallowed purposes. Let us not prostitute this ^glorious doctrine. It is an inde pendency to be used for right ends, and in a right way. In it we should exhibit the spirit of Christ, by it we should maintain the purity of the churches--by it we should strengthen the bonds of union among the 'churches. To use it otherwise, is an abnse of power.
" Finally, Church Independency can not be so exer-

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.
cised as to destroy Church Independency. It matters n'ot'by what authority the decision of'a.church is over ruled or set aside the practical result to the parties is the same. The church excluding pronounces what she adjudges to be a correct polity, but if another church arrests the execution, and takes the case M$O its hands, then the second becomes practically a superior judicature to the first, and since each church may,, in its turn, exercise the same jurisdiction over every other, and in - relation to all subjects, it follows that Church Indepen dency is a figment; that in fact there is no such thing. It seems to us that a stronger government would be better than this hypothesis. A well defined appellate jurisdiction would better secure the union of tha churches; and we are free to confess that we see as much Scripture for jthe one as the other, i. a, we see none for either.
"The comity of the Apostolic churches can be as clearly proven as their Independency. There general union, fellowship and co-operation are matters of fact known to every Sunday school scholar. Not a case is on record of their invading the rights of each other. Not an instance can be found where an expelled member was restored by another church, sustained by an Association, or acquitted by a council. The comity of the Primitive churches could not allow such a thing--such a palpable encroachment upon the independency of the churches. All matters of discipline were harmoniously executed. No is there a case recorded of an individual refusing to be tried by his church, and then setting up himself as a leader of faction."

CHAP. XI.
EDITORIAL CAREER--SERMON--DECLINING HEALTH--END
OF LABOR----1859 TO i860.
" The black bird sins;s sweetly with, [the thorn at her breast--so should the children of God when passing through their trials."
should be borne in mind that Dr. Dawson was in 'confirmed consumption_,when he entered upon his editorial career. Most men would have felt there was sufficient excuse for inactivity in the diseased, pros trated condition of his system. Life, a lingering death; physical debility so great that " the grass-hopper was a burden." But in weakness and suffering he did his Master's work, watching with unceasing vigilance every attack, open or covert, upon what he considered the interest of the cause of Christ. He was a faithful senti nel ! On no account could he sacrifice what he belived to be truth. He used a fearlessness of expression that sometimes gave offence, but it was the result of the force and clearness of his convictions. It has been said: " Dr. Dawson was fond of contro versy." I cannot close this memoir without seeking to relieve his memory of an imputation so unjust I knew so well the height and and depth of his large, loving nature, his all embracing human sympathy, and that it pained and grieved him to occupy a position of antago nism to brethren he loved. Hear his own declarations upon the subject, in a confidential letter to Rev.' C. D. Mallary, from which I quote a few sentences:

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LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

FROM DR. DAWSON TO DR. MALLARY.
" I have no recollection of ever having suffered so much as I have from the reading of Bro. * * * assault upon the boards. Fot cne w/iole night I was in agony. I could not fortify myself against the most pain ful apprehensions. What shall we do ? The argument is] a rope of sand, but what of that ? It will serve to unsettle the public mind, to break up confidence, to' strengthen the enemies of missions, to supply the slowhearted with an excuse for doing nothing, while it will induce hesitancy among the warmest friends.' It is an unfortunate document, at an unpropitious time. * * * It does seem to me that to follow the suggestions of the writer, will throw the cause of missions back fifty years. To dissolve the Convention at once, without anything to supply its place, looks to me rash and ruinous."
And again he writes to this friend: " I am suffering from the impression that I am a disputatious fellow, and that the discussion of general principles is a mere pre tence to keep up discord. My concern is to know and defend the truth, / care not for victory. I care not who triumphs* if truth is vindicated. * * * - The Lord will take care of His cause, although I, and a thousand others, perish. /1 pray for direction, and it comforts and encourages me to know that others are ' sympathizing with, and praying for me. A thousand thanks for your kind cSmmunication, etc."
The Convention, and Boards, which now seem so indispensable, were inaugurated and carried through in the face of much systematic, persistent opposition. I do not propose to give a history of these difficulties, I only design to state Dr. Dawson's position as regards them, and that'his warm and earnest support of them placed him in painful antagonism with some of the brethren,

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and no doubt contributed to give rise to the opinion that he was " fond of controversy." Upon this subject his intimate friend, Hon. Mark A. Cooper, says:
FROM HON. M. A. COOPER.
" No man. could have been freer from Jthe spirit of controversy. His nature was incapable of cherishing this feeling. He was a firm believer in the doctrines of the Christian religion as held by the Missionary Baptists. He often dwelt upon them, not in the spirit of contro versy, but on account of their utility to man, their fitness and adaptation to his condition, for their appropri ateness and consistency with the Diving character, for the grandeur, sublimity and faith in them."
A beloved sister thus expresses herself upon the same subject: " It was impossible he could be fond of controversy from a contentious spirit If he ever engaged in controversy, it was that truth might be elicited--truth in its primitive purity, divested of all Judaism, ritualism, materialism--the truth as-it is in Jesus."
Frequent 'reference has been made in this memoir tothe friendship existing' between Dr. Mallary and Dr. Dawson. Thie friendship was of inestimable value to the latter, as well as a source of great happiness to both. My brother wore this faithful friend in his heart's core-- " yea, in his heart of hearts." Though the opposite of each other in. temperament, and though Dr. Mallary. sometimes felt it his.! duty to recjommend to " Brother John"--as in their familiar intercourse he often called him--"patience under*, provocations," his advice* n^ver gave offense, lie could so sweetly blend faithful reproof, with sympathy and encouragement. I will give extracts from a letter to the point, written, to relieve >this good brother's mind of an apprehension that some suggestions made to his friend might have given offence:
9

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LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

DR. DAWSON TO DR. MALLARY.
" Let me say to you, my dear brother, that all your fears were unnecessary; and so far from being offended at anything in either of your letters, I placed just the construction upon them you intended, and regarded them as a renewed expression of that confidence and affection which I had so many reasons to think you entertained for me. No, my dear brother, you never 'did, or said, a thing in your life which was offensive to me.. On the contrary my respect and affection for you has increased with our long acquaintance. I never met you but with pleasure, or parted from you .but with regret; and nothing gratifies me more than to know that the feeling is reciprocal; nothing would grieve me more than to feel that it would ever be diminished. ' * * * To no living man do I speak so unreservedly, for none liave I a more unwavering attachment. * * *
" You are not mistaken in your opinion of my temper ament. It has been a great grief to me, and not unfrequently has jplaced me in a false position before my brethren and friends. I know I am too sensitive, and, perhaps, as you have seen, have too little charity for, and patience with, the rough and discourteous manners of some apparently good men. I often mourn over this, :and other infirmities, and try to overcome them. It is "hard work, but I hope something has been, and more will be done. I know I desire to be a good man, an humble Christian, and a useful minister; all of which is possible if God will offbrd me grace--but only possible by grace. * * * When my soul is oppressed with its own guiltiness, this thought comforts me, that the merit of the blood'of Christ is commensurate with the purity and perfection of God's hply law, so that if I had violated all, faith in Him secures for my guilty soul the

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/

full benefit of that merit; and since that faith is the gift

of God, it is a pledge of grace, whatever grace is neces sary to perfect God's gracious purpose in the bestowment

of the gift. * * *

"Your kind opinion of me, and of my poor efforts, are surely gratifying; and that you have never expressed them so fully before, has elevated my opinion of your

prudence and good sense, not that I think the expression 'of them under the circumstances improper. I can say

with truth that nothing has ever been said to me, or of

me, which has so much encouraged me. Very many

^circumstances have operated to discourage me. The

. conduct of some brethren has made me sick at heart. Much of this you have known, and you, I am sure, have appreciated my feelings. I have, it is true, had many

things said -of me, and to me, calculated to excite my vanity. I have striven against this feeling, and think I can truthfully say that the effect of this has been to

humble me--to send me to my knees. * * * I have attended a delightful prayer meeting this evening.

1 think I feel a more -determined resolution to 'spend and be spent' for the cause of Christ May the Lord enable us to be more and more useful.

" When life's labors and conflicts are over, and you and your Mary, and I and my Mary, get to Heaven, will there not be four poor sinners saved by grace ? Yes, all of grace 1 God grant it may be so!"

I have been reqaested to embody in this memoir one

or two of his best sermons. This I am unable to do, from the simple fact that he never permitted any sermon

"of his to go to press. " He never yielded to the itch for rint" At one of the Baptist State Conventions he preached the Education Sermon. A number of persons

Teqested it should be published. Not wishing to seem

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disobliging, he hesitated in his reply, and wrote to his' friend C. D. Mallary, stating the case, and asking advice. Before receiving a reply, he positively declined, and wrote to his friend:
"I came to the conclusion that it was not worth pub lishing. I never felt the slightest desire to see one ef my poor efforts in print, and have resisted everything of the kind."
The nearest approach I am able to make to this request^ is to give the following extract from? a sermon delivered for the special benefit of young men. The occasion was one of painful interest On a Sabbath morning some persons, attracted by an unusual gather ing of " carrion birds," found the mutilated remains of a" human being in a marsh near Columbus. It was soonrecognized as the body of a young gentleman of the city. Dr. Dawson was requested to deliver a discourse ' to young men on the occasion, which he did to- a- large congregation, from these words: " One sinner destroyeth much good." The only part of the sermon I have in my'possession are his closing remarks:
" Young gentlemen, as citizens you, do not know what you may do. By z.- life well ordered, a well directed effort, you put in motion influences which may act on others, until the mass is sanctified and the city saved. ' A poor, wise man saved a city.'--Eccle. ix: 18. Are you a friend ? Have you estimated the influence of associa tion ? It is difficult to determine the importance of your position; while you are observing others-, eyes are turned upon yoa which yoXi do not see; your habits, your words, your opinions, your very carriage is observed, and by some to be imitated.
" Habits and thoughts, and deeds, are shadows, and satellites of self. It is the charm of association that-

LWE OF JOHN . DAWSON.
gives vitality and perpetuity to popular vices. Control this, and you take away their principal ailment. Slight circumstances may induce consequences--the most pain ful consequences to which you can never advert without horror. Often when our agency is undesigned--certainly free from any malignant intent--we put in motion influ ences which we cannot control, and which, like falling bodies,' move with accelerated velocity. Every habit indulged, every word, every opinion, may be an embryo avalanche, a spark which may ignite some sleeping volcano, which may engulf you, your family, your country, in its burning lava. The dangerous bar in the harbor's mouth is only grains of sand; and the shoal that hath wrecked .a navy, is the work of a colony of worms.
" A most melancholy and affecting illustration of this truth has recently been consummated in our midst
" On last Sabbath morning the mutilated remains of a dead man were found on our common. Death is ever a dreadful messenger; but such a death as this, shocks every sensibility. To die alone, on the cold, damp ground, in the sound of human voices, on the very confines of a thronged city, uncared for, unministered to, without one to prop that sinking head, or hear .his last confession, or bear the las.t farewell to living friends, or offer for him a last prayer, qr whisper in his ear the name of Jesus, or close his dying eyes, invests that death with painful interest That manias, once a noble man; in few beat higher the better impulses of our nature. Highminded, generous and sensitive, of respectable parentage, esteemed by his associates, of good mind, of respectable attainments, both solid and ornamental, he had every qualification for happiness and usefulness. He was once* 2. sober man. Even now there are those who pitied his

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waywardness and lamented his fate. There was a time when six young gentlemen banded together to refrain from the use of intoxicating drinks. The portentous hour had come when they had promised to take the pledge. Two other associates accompanied these recruits. They jeered, dissuaded and ridiculed until three receded. ' The sneer of a man's own comrades trieth the muscles of courage.' The other three stood; firm. Of the latter, all are living, honored and respected by their friends and' associates, and ornaments to society. ' A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself;,

the simple pass on, and are punished.' The two jerring seducers are both dead, and both fill drunkard's graves. Of the three who seceded, one is a confirmed drunkard,. the second has ruined ^himself in person, estate and mind; has ruined his father.also% and is a confirmed: maniac, unable to take care of himself. The last of this trio was poor John Byrne, whose melancholy end you; know. What a warning to scoffers 1 What a confirma tion of the text--' One sinner destroyeth much good.'

" Finally*, young gentlemen, let us act our part faith fully, and in the fear of God. Sin is insidious and

progressive. If we would save ourselves, or others,. we must resist it at the tkreshhold. There is an hour when it may be driven, back, but with every success it winds itself closer and firmer, until like the hungry boaconstrictor it crushes its victims in its resistless folds. There is an hour when reform is impossible. This poor man had gone, too far; friends became hopeless;' that noble band of brothers, the Sons of Temperance, did all

that brothers could do, but it was too late, the city had been surrendered to- the enemy. One poor, wise man might have saved it ifit had not capitulated; five hundred Could not rescue it when it had.

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" I fear the siege is now going on against some of you. I fear your families, our churches, our country, are being besieged. I know they are ever exposed to the hostile attacks of a great king. Let us do our duty like men. We will meet with discouragements. Often when we have labored and toiled to rescue a fellowman from destruction, we are requited with ingratitude. The friends we love, the country we toil for, the church we serve, the families we live for, deny us their sympathies, and crush our cherished hopes. I know the vicious often triumph, and find access to public and private favor;, though putrid with sin, while the virtuous--especially: the virtuous poor--who have nothing to sustain therm but integrity, are held, if not at freezing distance, certainly in discouraging relations. The poor man'swisdom was despised, his words unheard, but he ' saved' the city." Let us resist temptation, and persevere in an upright, virtuous course in dependence upon God; and when the cries of those, who ruleth among fools shall be hushed in the waitings of the giddy, who follow their counsels to ruin, then shall God and our conscience acquit us; and then will be demonstrated before Heaven and earth, and hell, that' wisdom is better than weapons of war."'

" The stats shall fade away, the sun himself .

Grow dim with age, and nature sink in years,

But thou Bhalt flourish in immortal youth,

Unhurt amidst the wars of elements, _

-

The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds."

^

FROM REV. JOSEPH WALKER, FORMERLY EDITOR OF THE
CHRISTIAN INDEX.
To return to Dr. Dawson's success as an editor. Says the Rev. Joseph Walker: "As a preacher I did not know Bro. Dawson, but as one of my correspondents,

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and subsequently as an editor, I learned to appreciate his talents and power as a vigorous and fertile writer. I was surprized, on reading the first series of editorials, that such a mind had not been called into activity*in that department long before. He could see the points of a question instantly, and bring to its illustration a vigor and clearness of discussion, such as few editors possess. Had he entered the editorial profession ten years earlier, he would have achieved, under God, a great and good work. The Boards of the Southern Baptist Convention and Church polity, furnished the last themes for his pen, and in defence of these, gave to the public his last thoughts. When unable to write, he would dictate to his faithful wife from his dying couch, who transferred his thoughts and arguments to paper for the press."
/ FROM DR. A. SHERWOOD.
Dr. Sherwood writes: " When he entered the chair editorial, and wrote with so much expressiveness, his best friends were filled with delight and surprise, for he exceded all their anticipations.
" His knowledge of Church polity was gathered from the Scriptures and old authors."

I received an interesting and touching letter from"his

colleague, Rev. H. E. Taliafe'rro:

.,

COMMUNICATION FROM REV. H. E. TALIAFERRO.
" I send you some recollections of Rev. J. E. Dawson. To avoid hero worship on the one hand, and to do full justice to a beloved friend on the other, is. a delicate and difficult task. *. * I had no acquaintance with the ' strong man' until he had bowed himself under abun dant labors. He came to Tuskegee a physical, but not an intellec^ial, wreck. It was then I made his acquaint ance, and formed an attachment which even death did

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.
not sever. I loved him in affliction, I loved him. in death, and I love and cherish his memory. I often call up before my mind's eye that noble piece of God's workmanship, and almost idolize its dignity and majesty, until rebuked by his ever presiding humility--'See that thou do it not, for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren; worship God.' His zeal in the ministry of reconciliation had so * eaten him up,'--his physical energies--that he could not prosecute the work in which his redeemed and elevated soul most delighted; yet such was his inde pendence of mind, and unselfishness of spirit, tJiat he labored with his own hands, taxing to the utmost his' i remaining physical forces, for the support of himself and family. His unselfish, noble, independent soul could not brook the thought of being chargeable to any--not even a burden to his kind family. With the deepest sympathy I have seen him labor when he needed quiet rest. * * He was the soul of manhood, and dignified it in every relation of life. Nothing but death could conquor, and make him a prisoner; and he yielded to death only as ' a prisoner of hope.'
" Whenever he gained a little strength, he gave way to that ever presiding desire of his soul, and would 'preach the word.' It was a heavenly treat to those who heard him, but it was utter prostration to him. The penalty was days of nervous suffering. It was my privilege to hear some of those occasional efforts, for which I was always made to thank Him who ' led cap tivity captive,' and gave such precious gifts to men. But though the strong man continued to bow himself as disease and labors increased, yet the inward .man was strong in faith 'giving glory to God.' He must and would labor for the ascended and glorified Master. Talk he could not from the pulpit, but he could speak from

13O

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

the press. And then came his ' pen ministry/ as he so

aptly termed it It was the expiring effort of a moral

and intellectual Samson. He became one of the editors

of the South- Western Baptist, which position he occupied

till the Master relieved His hard-working and afflicted

servant His 'pen ministry' was brief but powerful.

His industry and zeal in this were like his labors in

every department of the kingdom of Christ, performed

with all his might. His friends were delighted and edi

fied, and his own pious soul enjoyed the luxury of doing

good. I shall ever esteem it an honor conferred upon

me by the Master, to have been connected in labors with

such a servant of God."



Much tender sympathy and many acts of love were bestowed upon this patient, afflicted child of God. That he appreciated the efforts of his friends to cheer and solace him, will somewhat appear in the following letter, written to *a dear sister of the Columbus church, all of whose family were his dearest, best friends:

DR. DAWSON TO MRS. --------, OF COLUMBUS.
"Dear Sister,--Your kind letter of sympathy came some weeks since, and I have been waiting, that I might answer it with 'mine own hand.' You have no idea how much your letter comforted me; it came oppor tunely. Contending with some formidable opposition, painfully solicitous for what I consider correct princi ples--appealed to from every part of the South to stand firm, and yet much ot my time prostrate, unable to write, and dependent upon my wife to write letters and prepare editorials--it came like a gentle shower oh the parched earth. And it was the more pleasant because it referred affectionately to past relations, which always revive refreshing memories.

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSOH.
" It is true that ray residence in Columbus was 'check ered ;' many things transpired which gave me real pain, and perhaps unnecessarily disquieted me; but the mem ory of these has faded away, and, seen from my present stand-point, everything pertaining to my ministry there is invested with a pleasing interest, except iny own mis erable misddings. I now trace the designs of a kind Providence in all the past, and see mercy, where once I perceived nothing but wrath. And this experience while it expounds for me the ' exceedingly great and preciouspromises to which you call my attention, quite reconciles me to the pupilage through which I am now passing. If the affections of a parent may be estimated by the effortsmade to recover a prodigal, what ought ,1 to think, how shall I calculate the Love of Him who seems so deter mined on my salvation ! Were there a useless infliction, an undirected pain, we might think differently, aitd even complain of severity; but each is a part of a purpose, each in its place, and way, working,' all working together for good to them that love God.'
" I have great occasion to be thankful! that I am SO' ' much resigned to what seems to be the Master's will; if what has the appearance of resignation is not a heartless stoicism. I had heard of your mother's affliction, and improvement, before the receipt of yours, and trust I. was not unmindful of her at the 'Mercy Seat.' She has. enjoyed an' unusual pilgrimage, and the time of her departure cannot be far distant There is about the generation to which your mother belongs (I mean the pious) a divine impress, a mould of character, an intel lectual and moral stamina, which is not so discernible in our day. They grew in peculiar times, and God seems to have fitted them for a peculiar work. I certainly mean no disparagement to the daughters, but to my

132

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

thinking--perhaps the memory 'of a dear lost one may make me partial--a good, old-fashioned, devout Virginia mother, is the best specimen of humanity my eye has ever fallen upon. I mourn the Icfss of them as a public calamity. May the Lord preserve your excellent mother many years!
" I am very happy to hear of the prosperity of your church; everything about it interests me; it is yet my home; this is an excursion, a temporary absence, but it seems to be the Master's will, and I submit I hope my health is a little improved, but I do not calculate upon recovery; it is possible the machine may be propped up for a short time, but its destiny is determined.
" Remember us affectionately to every member of the family, old and young, and be assured that you all live in our memory, and are thought of often and gratefully. May the Lord preserve and prosper you all, and keep us all to the day of Jesus Christ"
At the earnest solicitations of many friends, Dr. Daw son laid aside his editorial duties and, accompanied by his devout wife, made a visit to the Virginia Springs. In a letter to his colleague, after testing the effects of the
water, he writes: t
"When I first arrived, my health seemed to improve, but for the last ten .days has receded."
Anxious to die at home, and feeling that that event -was rapidly approaching, Joe hastened his return. After resting in LaGrange a few days, he went on to Tuskegee,o close his earthly affairs, and was the guest of Dr. Cullen Battle, from whose family he received the kindest and most thoughtful attention, Judge Hill and myself united in a pressing invitation to him to return to

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

133

r

us, his answer to this, dictated to his wife, was, after

thanking us for the invitation, and that it was impossible

he could then accept it,

" Tell my sister my room is the very gate of Heaven.'*

A few days before his death he was visited by Rev. Basil Manly, Jr., who makes the following record of the interview:

LAST INTERVIEW OF DR. MANLY, JR.
" It is a pleasure to give honor to whom honor is due. Certainly, few men of warmer h,eart or purer character than Bro. Dawson have come within my sphere pf acquaintance, and I desire the space of a few lines to record this humble testimonial to his worth.
"It was my privilege to visit him a few days before his death. "The Alabama Baptist State Convention wasthen in session in Tuskegee. I remarked to him that his brethren felt much fpr him as he 'lay there suffering in , comparative solitude, debarred from meeting them in Convention. He said:
"' I have not felt to be by myself at all; I have expe rienced none of the loneliness of the sick chamber. It is a thought of great comfort and, sweetness to me that I have a warm place in the affections of my brethren.'
" After a brief pause, he added:
"' God has been fulfilling to me all the glorious prom ises to Which I have looked for years. I feel, indeed, in this hour, that I am a great sinner; and I see more clearly than ever that a thousand merits of mine could be of no avail.' And as he uttered these wonis with surprising energy, in the husky whisper which was all that was left of that clear, full, noble voice which had thrilled thousands, he grasped my hand with an earnest

134

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSOK.

force, which showed that upon these truths his soul had taken hold with a death grasp, and added:
'"I bless God that He has given me, in this hour, unshaken confidence to sustain me.' I retired from the room, feeling fifeat. I had been profited by the interview."

CHAP. XII.
HIS DEATH-- 1860.
' " Methinks I hear the voices of the blessed as they stand, Singing in the sunshine of the better land; ft, would that I were with them, amid their shining throng, Mingling in their worship, joining in their song.
" The friends that started with me have entered long ago; One by one they left me straggling with the foe; Their pilgrimage was shorter their triumph sooner won-- How lovingly they'll hail me when my toil is done. ,
" O, Lord, I wait Thy pleasure, Tuy time and way are best; But I am care-worn, lone and weary--O, Father, bid me rest."
>R. DAWSON died on the i8th of November, '1860--Judge E. Y. Hillv my husband, died on the 2ist of the same month. While nursing and watching my dying husband, news of my brother's death was brought me. The editor of the Christian Index, Rev. S. Boykin, made this announcement: " Most pained are we at the necessity of announcing the death, by consumption, of Rev. J. E. Dawson. This sad event occurred at the residence of Dr. Cullen Battle,'Tuskegee, Ala. Dr. Dawson was long one of the most influential of the Baptists of Georgia. He was possessed of .talents of uncommon order, of an eloquence that carried all before it, of a zeal that consumed his own life, of a piety that was undoubted. "A sound theologian, he became so by a diligent

136

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON-



study- of Gods Word; an acute reasoner, he convinced

by sheer force of argument; a Bible Baptist, he com

manded the love and respect of all for his unflinching

Bdherence to Scriptural principles. As a Christian, he

was firm and decided, yet humble and meek. Unwaver

ing in his faith, he died, exclaiming: I am not alone;

the Lord encampeth round about Tne.

." Handsome in person, frank in manners, entirely free

from superciliousness, he won and retained the admira

tion and esteem of all who knew him. He gave his life

to the Lord, and is doubtless enjoying his reward in

Heaven."

.

The surviving editor of the Soidh-Western Baptist, in

an article of Nov. 22d, 1860, notices the event in the

following manner:

" Rev. John E. Dawson is dead ! And they mourned

over him, saying: Alas! my brother. This will be sad

intelligence to the whole Baptist family of the South.

Perhaps no minister was more universally known/or was

so universally popular. This popularity he justly de

served, and was gained by a godly life, his eloquence in

the pulpit, his rigid adherence to truth, and by his lumi

nous and powerful .pen. * * * This painful event

was not unexpected. All knew his want of health, and

while they hoped against hope, and earnestly petitioned

the Sovereign King for his recovery, yet there were

fearful forebodings of an early departure. The unwel

come news reached us Sunday evening, i8th inst, and

like David, I opened not my mouth, because Thou didst

it. We repaired to the place, and there lay the remains

of that once noble and commanding form, dignified and

noble, even in death. The countenance, through which

a mighty intellect had been accustomed to look and

hold intercourse with men, retained much of its sweet-

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

'

137

ness and dignity. That calm and peaceful countenance

in death, uttered the same testimony as when inhabited

by that noble soul--' I have fought the good fight.' Nor

was death an unexpected messenger to this servant of

Christ. He had made his arrangements, temporal and

spiritual, for a speedy departure, and conversed freely

and often with his friends upon the subject. * * * If

he desired to live, it was to labor for the Master; to. die,

he regarded as gain. It was edifying and strengthening

j

to hear him speak of his faith' in Christ, and the glory

that shall be revealed in us. * * * When disease

would not suffer him to plead the cause of Christ with

his eloquent tongue, he seized his pen, and like the

fettered Samson, slew more of the King's enemies dying,

than when in full vigor. His power with the pen--his

'pen ministiy,' as he termed it--he never knew until he

was over fifty years old. He had depended entirely

upon his lips to speak for Jesus and the resurrection.

* * * No man has done more to enlighten Baptists,

and the public on Baptist church government, than John

E. Dawson. He lias made an impression upon the Bap

tist mind that will continue to speak, though he is dead.

For several months he hadbeen unable to write, yet we-

could not take his name from the editorial department, which he had so ably filled. As die he must, we wished

him to end his days connected with a paper to whose

fame and usefulness he had contributed so largely. * *

With a sad heart, we bid adieu to our companion in, ,

labors. In the language of David, when Jonathan fell,

we can truly say: ' O, Jonathan, thou wast slain in thy

.j

high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jona

than.; very pleasant hast thou been unto me. How are-

the mighty fallen! Alas! my brother.'

. *

"In the Baptist church at Tuskegee, a discourse was

.1.*

10



.

I

138

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

delivered on the occasion, Nov. ipth, by Rev. S. Henderson, to a large and sympathizing audience, after which his remains were carried to Columbus, Georgia, to be buried in his native State, and among the people of his 'former charge, with whom he had lived so long, and so successfully labored.
"After the services on the igth, we set out with ou r dear friend for the city of Columbus, with much of the 'feelings of Abraham when he said :t ' Give me a posses sion of a burying-ground, that I may bury my dead out of my sight' We fared better than the good patriarch; he purchased a resting-place for "his beloved Sarah, but every cemetery in the city was made welcome to John E. Dawson. Not only was the grave ready, but- warm hearts',' devout men,' were at the depot, ready to receive us, though the night was dark and the hour late. Our hearts were full, and .we thanked God for Christian love and sympathy. These ' devout men' carried .the body to the house of Bro. James K. Redd, the long-tried and well-known friend of Bro. Dawson, where it was detained till half-past ten o'clock, when it was moved in proces sion to the Baptist church. . When the coffin was placed in front of the pulpit--which was draped in mourning-- tears gushed from every eye, and deep sobs were heard over the whole house. For some time, the pastor of the church, Rev. J. H. DeVotie, was unable to proceed with the sermon, such was the intensity of his own feelings and the feelings of the audience. Bro. DeVotie' was happy in the choice of a subject, and greatly blest in its delivery. When the text was announced--' And de vout men carried SiepJten to his burial, and made great lamentation over him"--its appropriateness was apparent to all. After the eloquent and feeling sermon was deliv ered, it was requested that all who wished to take a last

"LTFE. OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

139

look at the calm and dignified sleeper, would pass by the coffin upon leaving the house. The whole congregation-- persons of-all denominations--passed slowly and rever ently by, exhibiting the deepest emotion, treating silently by the precious dust that lay before them. And then, \vhat a crowd went in solemn procession to the burial lot of Dr. A. M. Walker! Had the veriest stranger in ,tihe world seen those obsequies, he would have known how John E. Dawson stood in the city of Columbus, where he -was best known."
The following is from the Columbus Sun, a secular paper, which furnishes high testimony of his standing ;among men of the world, and as giving the sentiments of the city papers:
'"FUNERAL OBSEQUIES OF REV. JOHN E. DAWSON, D. D'.'
"The remains of this'eminent divine were received in "this city yesterday, and carried to the residence of Mr. J. K. Redd. At half-past ten o'clock they were carried to the Baptist church, where an appropriate and affecting address was delivered by Rev. J. H. DeVotie. The room was filled to its utmost capacity; and during the delivery of the discourse the silent tears flowed from the eyes of nearly the entire assembly, while some cottld not restrain their feelings, and gave vent to their sorrow in louder manifestations. Dr. Dawson had-been a professor of Christianity thirty-two years, and over tweaty-five was ' actively engaged in the Gospel ministry, with what suc'cess thetfeistory of Georgia Baptists will tell. With every movement in the State which had for its object the elevation, and bettering the condition, morally and reli giously, of his fellowmen, he was connected. In com pany with Mercer, Sanders, Mallary, Penfield, and others, he laid the ground work of the present College iknown as Mercer University. From its incipiency, until

14&

LIFE OF JOHJT . DAWSOST,

his death, he watched its career with the solicitude of ai tender parent. He was permitted to see it grow intomanhood; and it now stands a noble monument to those noble men. The death of this great and good mancalled from their labors many of our people, who met to- mingle their tears over him who'was emphatically the friend of sinners."
RESOLUTIONS OF THE TUSKEGEE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist church of Tuskegee passed the following" resolutions: " The committee appointed to prepare and" report a preamble and resolutions upon the bereavement of our own, and sister churches in Georgia and Alabama,in the death of our beloved brother, Elder J. E. Dawson,. respectfully beg leave to report as follows :
" A great and good man has fallen in Israel! Rev. John E. Dawson is rfo more ! After a protracted and exhausting sickness of several years, on Sabbath, iStfr November, 1860, he peacefully and quietly breathed his last, and fell sweetly asleep in Jesus.
" He was a living Epistle, known and- read of all men;: and his praise is in all the churches of the saints. Faith fully, boldly and eloquently he ministered in holy things;, and dispensed the word of life for over twenty-five years,
" God blessed his work of patience and* labor of love-The fruits of his ministry in the various congregations, and churches over which he exercised pastoral care, con* stitute a living memorial of his faithfulness as a minister of the blessed Gospel of the Son of God. But he is , gone! The Lord disposes--it is our duty to submit!' ' The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken" away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Blessed are the dead' which die in the Lord henceforth--yea, sayeth the Spirit--that thy may rest from their labor, and their works do follow them.'

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON. .

14!

"Resolved, That while this church feels deeply her

"bereavement in the death of Bro. Dawson, she rejoices

in the tho'ught that her loss is his eternal gain, and hum

bly bows to this afflictive dispeasation.

" Resolved, That the members of this church cordially

sympathize with our dear sister Dawson, and prayerfully

commend her to God, and the word of His grace."

*

S. HENDERSQN, Moderator.

F. PERRY, Clerk.

RESOLUTIONS OF THE COLUMBUS BAPTIST CHURCH.-
. BAPTIST CHURCH, \ Columbus, Ga., Dec., 1860. J
"The committee appointed by this church to prepare some expression of their feelings in regard to the life and services of our late brother, John E. Dawson, D. D., now deceased, beg to submit the following :
" Your committee are aware that the limits of an ordi nary report will not admit of a satisfactory review of the character and services of one so eminently endowed and distinguished as our late Bro. Dawson. We shall, therefore, of necessity, confine ourselves to & few of the leading points in his 3ife arid character.
" Perhaps but few men of his day contributed more to the dissemination of the great truths of the Gospel, o'r had a more comprehensive- and thorough acquaintance with the doctrine of salvation by grace than he, did ; and none have devoted their powers of body and mind more entirely or more successfully to the proclamation of the great truths of the Bible.
"Endowed by our Heavenly Father with a warm ' and generous heart, and powers of eloquence and per suasion almost irresistible, (when under the full inspira-

EJFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

tion of his theme,) he has swayed multitudes and caused! thousands to pause and consider their ways, and to turn- their feet Zionwards. He was peculiarly the champion) of education and missions, and never shrank from the defence of the doctrines and usages of Baptists, Hisefforts ia founding Mercer University commend' him tothe gratitude of Georgia Baptists, x besides numerous other minor enterprises which he broughf into success ful operation.
" In the first incipiency of the missionary movement in Georgia, he stood" peerless as its advocate and defen*der, and but few were able to resist his arguments or his soul-stirring appeals.
" At a later period he became the pastor of this church, and" although he was afflicted for the greater part of the time he was laboring among us, still for tenyears he proclaimed the word of life, and won- for him self the love and affection not only of his church and7 congregation^butof the entire community.
" Though disconnected from us at the time of his death we still retain a lively sense and appreciation of his labors among us. In view of the death of one sobeloved, be it
" Resolved, That in the death of Bra John E. Dawsonj. D. D., we recognise the hand of an Allwise Providence, and feel that we have personally lost a friend and brother whom it was our privilege to love and admire.
Resolved, That in his death the whole Baptist church* has lost one of its ablest preachers and defenders of its faith and practice, and our country a Christian* and? patriot.
" Resolved, That we tender our bereaved Sister Dawson, our wannest sympathy in. her. affliction, and. prajr

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON. .

143

God that He may be to her more than husband or father."
WILLIAM C. GRAY,. JAMES K. REDD, THOMAS. B. SLADE, H. S'. ESTES, JOHN WOOLFOLK.
From the letters of condolence addressed to Mrs. Dawson, I select two.
The first from Dr. Mallary:
FROM DR. MALLARY TO MRS. DAWSON. ALBANY, GEORGIA.
" Dear Sister,--I have just seen in the South- Western Baptist a notice of dear Brother Dawson's departure to a better world, and hasten to drop you a line of affec tionate, Christian condolence^ in my own behalf, and also my wife. We truly sympathize with you, dear Sister, for your affliction is great. Your best, dearest earthlyfriend has been taken from your sight. True, the afflic tion did not come unexpectedly; deep,progressive, fatal, disease admonished you of the impending* blow. This tended to prepare you for the result, and has, no doubt, somewhat mitigated your distress, still the blow, now that it has come, you feel to be severe. May the Ever lasting arms of the Saviour be underneath you! He that so wonderfully sustained and cheered your departed husband will not fail to fulfill His gracious promises to the bereft widow. Jesus was a man of-sorrows. O how deeply did He drink for us the cup of anguish, and how tenderly and affectionately can He sympathize with His people in their deepest grief! How much you have to comfort you. Your husband lived and died--not as the fool liveth and dieth. His life was filled with useful deeds; his death was a delightful commentary on the

144

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

faithfulness. of Christ, and the all-sustaining power of His grace.
" The conflict is over--his toilsome work is done. He has gone home--home to the bosom of the Saviour, where there is holy, peaceful, eternal repose. You would not call him back to pain, anxiety and conflict ? No, you would rather trim your lamp anew, and hasten on with increasing diligence to that same blessed home. He died at the right time, in the right place, and in the right* way. Infinite wisdom and love ordered it all. Though dead, he still liveth--liveth in the surviving influence of his pious life and generous labors for Christ --liveth in the tender, affectionate remfimbance of thoussands. This should be to you a comfort. May we all be quickened by his example to more faithful and holy living. May his death be sanctified to the good of his children and friends--to us all. I often look upon my own race as nearly run. According to the course of nature I soon shall be gone. Oh ! that the same grace which sustained our dear, departed friend may be vouch safed to me even to the 'end---be granted in abundant measure to each one of us. Grace, mercy and peace be with you."
The second is from Dr. Howell, of Nashville, Tenn.:
FROM Dr. R. B. C. HOWELL TO MRS. DAWSON.
" Dear Sister,--God, in His infinite wisdom, has visited you with an overwhelming calamity. , Upon you it has fallen most heavily, but all of us feel the blow scarcely less painfully than you do. The continued life and health of your now sainted husband-, seemed to us in the present disturbed condition of our Zion, essential to the safety and progress of those great principles which our churches have hitherto professed and maintained. His luminous mind, his varied and profound knowledge of

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

145

the word of God, his zeal and industry, his eonscientious devotion to the cause of Christ, his great power as a writer, the large space he occupied in the corlfidence and affections of our denomination, and of good men of all classes, pointed to him as the great champion of truth and the right; and nobly did he meet all of our highest expectations. But the poor, frail body was not able to bear the weight of all these anxieties and .labors. Dis ease came, and suffering, and decay, and death ! /Truly may we all say: 'A Prince, and a great man, has fallen in Israel.' Who, alas! is to supply his place ? It cannot be supplied! To us the disaster appears irremediable. Personally, I cannot control my distress. Long have I known, admired and loved him. As a brother and friend, he was most dear to my heart His sympathy and counsel were among my earthly blessings. I weep with you my dear Sister; I have reason to weep with you. I sympathize from the depths of my soul in all your sorrows. I am checked, however, in these lamen tations, and reproved for indulging them by the recollec tion that this event, which we so much deplore, was directed by the unerring and boundless wisdom and benevolence of God. Yes, it is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth to Him good. He knows what is best for us, and for His own cause. He is not dependent upon man for the accomplishment .of His purposes. He can achieve, by the death of a great man, even more than would have been accomplished by his life. In this afflictive providence He repeats to us that memorable admonition: ' Be still, and know that I am God.' ' We
would be still, even in our agony; we would check every murmuring thought. We would exclaim, with an ancient saint:. ' God is our refuge arid strength; a very present help in trouble."

146

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAVVSON.

" In one of its aspects--that which refers to himself in particular--the departure of your husband was a glorious triumph.
"As a Christian, he was all that could be desired; as a man, and a gentleman, he was cultivated, courteous, and the very soul of honor; as a minister, he was learned, prayerful, eloquent, faithful--a very rainbow of beauty and brilliancy; as a pastor, he was laborious, affectionate and kind ; as an editor, he was logical, able, orthodox, modest and eminently conservative. In every depart ment he was successful. He had, during his life, the sincere love and admiration of all good men. His death was eminently peaceful and happy. He lived a soldier of Christ, and died in his full celestial harness, still in the field battling for the Redeemer. His last utterance were words of cheer to you, and to us all. He has gone up on high to receive his crown at the hands of the Redeemer. His path though life shone more and more unto the perfect day. For him we could ask no more. We mourn not for him but for ourselves. He will not return to us, but we, my dear Sister, shall soon join him in that world of light. Weep for your husband--such a husband as few women ever had--but weep with sub mission to the Divine will; God will sustain and bless you."
His church, in Columbus, has erected a beautiful .monument to the memory of himself and wife. The following notice of it is taken from a Columbus paper: " In the cemetery, a little to the left of the upper car riage way, stands an' elegant monument to the memory of Rev. John E. Dawson, D. D., for ten years pastor of the Baptist church in this city. It is a beautiful structure --erected by those who revere the recollections of him whose eloquent lips, for a number of years, have been

J

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

147

mute. Dr. Dawson was pastor of the Columbus church one year during the Creek war, and from 1847 to 1856.
" The. monument is an elegant one of Italian marble, of the Gothic order, ten feet in height. The shaft was obtained from Italy. The base is composed of marble six feet square. The column is octagonal, each side, ,, midway, being adorned with a floral wreath pendant. Above the flowers, on the East side, on a neat tablet, appear the words in small capitals : ' OUR PASTOR.' On the same side, in raised letters, on a rustic ground, is: ,' John E. Dawson, D. D., the eloquent andfaithful Pastor --the Christian gentleman. He adorned the doctrines which he taught.--Died 1860; aged 56.' On the oppo site side, in similar characters, is the following inscription': ' Mary E. Dawson, the Pastor's wife--the true andfaithful woman. Het's was tfie meek and quiet spirit which, in the sight of God, is ofgreat price! In the smooth surface, of the South side of the same square are these lines:

"' They sleep in Jesus, and are blest-- Bow sweet their slumbers are.'

" It is a fitting monument to the dead, and displays the appreciation in which their memory is held by the living. How pleasant to think that the good live forever in the loving memories of those who come after them."

" He is not dead but sleepeth!

Sleep on, heedless of praise murmured o'er you;

.

Sleep deep, sleep in peace

'Till that great final i>eace shall be struck thro' the world,

"Till the stars be recalled and the firmament furled !"

My task is ended. I have gone gleaning in the several fields of my brother's labor, and with patient care have gathered up. some of the wheat he so profusely let fall. Timidly I bring my sheaves as an humble

148

LIFE OF JOHN E. DAWSON.

offering to the church and cause to which his labors and life were devoted.

" Dear Master,

,

Accept and bless my sheaves;

Full weJl I know Thy patient love perceive*,

Not That I did, but what I strove to do,"

APPENDIX.
fiR. DEVOTIE'S SERMON, PREACHED AT THE FUNERAL ov DR. JDAWSON.
"A-nd devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over hiffir."--ACTS vm: 8.
The flock is again gathered around the faithful shepherd, not as in times past, to listen with breathless atten tion to his eloquent instructions concerning the great salvation, but to look upon his beloved face for the last time, and weep.
Death has dimmed the brilliance of his eyes and sealed in perpetual silence those blessed lips. His affectionate heart, which overflowed with love for you and your children, pulsates no more. The freed spirit has re turned to God who gave it--has gone to be where Jesus is, to behold His glory and enjoy Him forever.
It was his desire" while living that his mortal remains might repose near the scene of his arduous labors. In the rh'orning of the resurrection he shall awake from the slumbers of the grave, surrounded by those who for many years he fed with the bread of life, and led so lovingly to the fountain of living waters.
Devout men have assembled to-day to carry him to his burial. This multitude, these sad countenances, your flowing tears- and sorrowing hearts, witness how greatly he was esteemed. Well may good men lament, for a great light has disappeared, the mighty has fallen. " Know ye not that there is a Prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel ?" Christians weep when the

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worthy die, for the death of the righteous is a loss to the world. The Holy Spirit indited this record of mourning for Stephen, without an intimation of disap probation. It was a sa*cred sorrow. Devout men now mourn, not as lifaose who have no hope when believers fall asleep in Jesus, for they know that only thus can just men be made perfect. If we believe that Jesus died and rose -again, even so them also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. .
It was a weeping day when Stephen was buried, for a faithful officer of the church, a bold defender of the Gos pel, had been smitten down by the enemies of truth. Tears are the precious tribute which the virtuous pay to the memory of the sainted dead.
"They buried Abner in Hebron, and the King lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the 'people wept"
This bitter sorrow is justifiable, if we consider the great loss sustained in the removal of the personal pres ence of holy men from among the living. The presence of Stephen in a community was a blessing beyond calcu lation. He was a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost, called of God, and chosen by his brethren, to occupy positions of highest responsibility, which he sustained successfully, and in which by a holy example of faith fulness, he adorned the doctrines of God, his Saviour. He was mighty in the Scriptures; wise as a serpent, yet harmless as a dove; zealous for the cause of his divine Master, holding forth the Word of life in season and out of season; a champion of the Gospel in his region. --having power with God and men--even while in the flesh, favored with an Unobstructed vision of Jesus upon the right hand of God in heaven. How could he be spared from among them? But his presence was re-

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moved ; he was gone forever from their sight, and devout men made lamentation over him. '
Thus this assembly mourns the absence of him whom "all delighted to see, but whom we shall behold here no more. .That presence is yet fresh in your memories. The pale, intellectual face, when speaking especially, lit up with his characteristic smile, that tall, graceful form, which moved among you with such Christian dignity-- the whole person blending qualities which attracted atten tion, and which beheld were never to be forgotten. You mourn a man rich in natural endowments, with a mind

cultivated by study and stored with treasures, new and old; one specially gifted with "aptness to teach," to communicate to others most forcibly the burning, mov ing thoughts of his own soul; who was ingenuous and frank in his intercourse with men, and affectionate almost surpassing the love of women.
Now contemplate all these advantages as refined by the regenerating and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, producing the graces of the Gospel and ripening the fruits of righteousness to the glory of God. Can this living epistle, known and read of all men, this light shining in a dark place, this salt of the earth, be taken away from association with living men, without raising the tide of sacred sorrow high ? You will never see the face of him you have loved in your pulpit, in your ' streets, or at your firesides, again. The attractive, com panionable brother and counsellor will appear at our Associations, Conventions, and religious assemblies, no more. Fainting virtue revived and grew strong in his presence, while blasphemers and the abandoned wicked, with respectful deference, became silent while before him.
When Paul was parted from his friends at Miletus, they all wept sore and fell on Paul's neck and kissed

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him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake that they should see his face no more.
The end of the direct influence of a man of God can not be considered without-sorrow. That influence of a" Christian which is obtained by a long continued course of well doing, by attachment to and the application of correct principles in the affairs of life, is powerful to bless and benefit humanity far beyond the boundaries of one's personal presence. Wherever his good report is known, the mention of his name is as " ointment poured forth," affording a grateful perfume to all around. Missions, and all benevolent enterprises, are promoted because he is favorable and is a worker for them. This elevating, attracting, far-reaching influence of the living Christian, gradually subsides when the propelling power of living activity ceases to move.
The death of a man of prayer is an occasion of sacred sorrow. The prayerful have power with God. " The . fervent, effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much." How much is only known to the Hearer of prayer. He has promised to hear His elect who cry unto Him day and night, and to avenge them speedily. The wicked have often been spared by the prayers of holy men. The fiery cloud, commissioned to destroy the cities of the plain, was stayed and rolled back upon itself so long as Abraham prayed, " Wilt Thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked ?" God would not punish sinning Israel while Moses prayed, " O, Lord God, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which Thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which Thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand."
That is a sad day for a people, when the long con- tinued, agonizing supplications of a devout pastor cease, when his last intercession is registered at the throne of

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^grace. None but God can know the number and fer vency of his prayers for them, what blessings have been bestowed upon the people, or what impending calamities have been averted, through their instrumentality. You might have been hopelessly lost to-day, but for his inter cessions.
" More things are wrought T>y prayer Than this world dreams of."
There is now one less " to stir up himself," to take hold on God on your behalf. He has not fainted in prayer, but his. prayers are ended. He appears in the closet, and is beheld before the blood-bought mercy seat no more. There is no intimation in the Scriptures that departed saints intercede for the living after death.
The end of the labors of a man of God opens the flood-gates of Christian mourning. The enthusiastic minister of Jesus, loving the souls of men, sanctifying himself that he may lead them to the Redeemer, work ing incessantly, watching for souls in view of .accounts, in season and out of season--the eloquent proclaimer of salvation through the blood of Christ ! Can these labors close without bringing many to sorrow?
The deceased was a man of toil, a laborer in the vine yard, in the true Gospel sense. His sermons were pre pared with earnest prayer, often bedewed with tears. Preaching with self-consuming earnestness on an average three times a week for twenty-five years, the aggregate of this work is great indeed.
The name of John E. Dawson is associated with every good enterprise in Georgia as a laborer together with his brethren. Mercer University, Missions, and the cause of Temperance, found in him an able defender and advo cate. But his work of faith and labor is ended. The affectionate pastor, who loved not yours, but you, the
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wise counselor in your difficulties, the sympathising brother in your distresses, has passed away.
The expounder of the deep things of God, incorrupt in doctrine, a teacher of righteousness, has ceased from his arduous toils, and has entered into rest.
For you, during his pastorate of ten years with this church, he probably preached not less than fifteen hun dred times. He conducted your prayer-meetings, visited your sick, buried your dead, and answered those innu merable calls upon him, which tasked his energies and demanded his whole time. His " doctrine, purpose and manner of life" is known to all. These abounding labors were too much for the earthen vessel--the earthly house of this tabernacle has been dissolved; he has ceased from his labors, and his works do follow him. Many of you are monuments of his work of faith in the Gospel. We believe that he has heard ere this the " well done good and faithful servant from his Master's lips."
If by your waywardness, neglect of his ministrations or misimprovement of his instructions, you ever gave him pain, doubtless you now sorrow for it with deepest

Who shall fill his place ? When shall we see his like again ? Of all these labors viewed from the chamber of death, he said, " they are unworthy to be mentioned as sacrifices."
The closing scene was such as might have been antici pated. In reviewing the doctrine of sovereign grace upon his dying bed, he saw himself only a sinner saved by grace. Said he : " The Gospel is wonderful." Tell the brethren in Columbus to " trust in the grace of God in the Redeemer alone, in nothing of their own." He desired to depart and be with Christ. He said : " I am ready; all is calm; I have no great ecstacy, but all is

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'

well." He testified to God's faithfulness, and justified

His mysterious ways with him, whether of sorrow or

prosperity. Death had no sting. He died the death of

the righteous. His last message to this beloved church

was: " I love you all; live near to Jesus." The battle

fought, the victory won. He sought by " a patient

continuance in well doing for the glory, honor and

.immortality which he now enjoys.

" Bury the dead, and weep In stillness over the loss;
Bury the dead, in Christ they sleep; Who bore on eanth the cross,
And from the grave the dost shall rise In his own image to the skies."