The grandfather of the subject of this notice was an Englishman, and settled near Currituc Bay, in North Carolina. Here, in 1745, was born Silas Mercer, the father, who removed to Georgia prior to the Revolution. He had been brought up in the rites of the Episcopal church, and had several of his children, among whom was Jesse, baptized in a tub of water. Under the preaching of Alexander Scott, he was convinced of the truth of the baptism of believers only, and submitted to the ordinance in Kiokee Creek, where he exhorted the people on a log before he left the water. He soon began to preach. During the war, he fled to North Carolina, and served the Tar River, Fishing Creek, and Kehukee churches. In December, 1784, he returned with his family to Georgia, and was active in building up churches at Powelton, Bethesda, Millston, Cloud Creek, &c. In 1785, he was at the formation of the Georgia Association, and was one of the committee sent by that body to petition the Legislature to repeal a law designed to support religion. Mr. Mercer was also in the convention to amend the state constitution.JESSE MERCER was born in Halifax County, North Carolina, December 16, 1769 - was baptized at Philips', Wilkes co. by his father, in June,1787, then in his 17th year. Not long after this he was licensed to preach, and was ordained, in 1789, by his father, Sanders Walker, and James Matthews. In 1792 he began the study of the languages with Rev. Mr. Springer, a Presbyterian minister; but, in 1793, his father established a school at his own residence, where he prosecuted his studies: this school was taught by a Mr. Armor. While at school he served the churches at Sardis and Bethany or Indian Creek. He was then a married man, and for three years resided in the vicinity of the last named church, in Oglethorpe County. On the death of his father, in 1796, he returned to Wilkes to assist in settling his estate and taking care of the family, and was called immediately to preach to the churches from which death had separated his father, viz., Philips, Powelton, and Bethesda. He served Powelton and Bethesda till 1826, (when his health prevented his travelling,) and Philips' several years longer. About 1827 he removed from Powelton, where he had resided some ten years, and made Washington his permanent residence. From 1819 to 1827 he was also pastor of Eatonton church, and spent most of his time in preaching at intermediate places between his four churches.
He was a member of the Convention which amended the State Constitution in 1798.*
Finding a great want of hymn books for the use of the growing churches, he compiled a small work called the "Cluster," and published it unbound in Augusta; after this, two more editions at the same place, bound - in all, 2500 copies. Some uninteresting pieces crept into the work; and, in 1817, while attending the General Convention in Philadelphia, he published an edition of 2500 copies with the copy-right secured; this edition is less exceptionable than the others. Editions were also published in 1820, 1826, and 1835, and then the copyright was sold. The work contains some excellent hymns, and has been almost the only book for years used in many parts of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. In travelling about to preach, he generally carried the hymn book, bibles, Fuller's, Buck's, and many other sterling works, which not only improved the mind but the taste of many pious persons. In 1820, 1826, and 1835, he was in attendance at the General Convention - was also President of the Board for some dozen years till death, though he never was present at the meetings of the Board except when held in connection with those of the Convention.
In 1819, he preached, at the request of the Legislature, a sermon on the death of Governor Rabun, who had died in October: this passed through two editions. Appointed by the Convention in 1823, he and Mr. Sherwood visited the Valley Towns Mission Station, in North Carolina. His wife accompanied him, and their carriage passed over hills and mountains which had never before witnessed one built for pleasure.
In 1830, he published Ten Letters, addressed to Cyrus White, on the subject of the Atonement - "Resemblances and Differences between Associational and Church Authority" - On Ordination-Education Sermon, 1834 - Parallel between Passover and Lord's Supper, &c, are also from his pen. But he is not to be regarded as an elegant or chaste writer; at these characteristics he never aimed. His great excellence lay in his sterling integrity, moral courage, good common sense, sound theological knowledge, original thought, and powerful preaching.
In September, 1833, he commenced the publication of the "Christian Index," a weekly paper, which has contributed very much to improve the denomination of which he was a distinguished ornament. This paper has enlightened the churches in regard to their duties and rights, and pulled the mask from the face of ecclesiastical usurpers. The publication, however, involved him in considerable pecuniary loss; but this he willingly sustained without complaint, because of the good it was accomplishing. Just at this period, some of the associations, in order to put down the influence of missions, had laid their barbarous hands on benevolent churches and even individuals; their course was severely reproved by the Index, and a stop 'was put to their usurpations. Some friends, in consideration of his valuable services, presented him, in 1835, with a silver medal - on one side, "Jesse Mercer, the able expounder of gospel discipline;" on the other, "Government is in the church: the Christian Index, the scourge of ecclesiastical tyranny."
For many years Mr. Mercer was opposed to the temperance reformation, taking occasionally a little brandy as a medicine; but when he ascertained that his example was quoted by the lovers of liquor in justification of their drunkenness, he abandoned it, and commenced a monthly publication, called "Temperance Banner" - this also was a source of loss, but it is yet continued.
In 1835, Brown University conferred on him the title of D. D. He did not respond to the college, for he wished to say nothing in favor or against it. He never would answer to the title - said he was unworthy of it; and, if worthy, did not like such titles, though he felt grateful for the respect which the college had designed to show him.
He was twice married, and by the first wife, who died in 1826, had some children, but none lived to maturity. His second wife was baptized by himself in 1828, and with him was active in benevolent works.
His contributions which were public, would fill a long chapter - his private benefactions to poor brethren and others, were numerous. He gave $750 and $1000 at a time to the Columbian College - to Mercer University, $2,000 in 1833, and in his will bequeathed some $50,000 to benevolent objects. In 1835, he gave $5,000 to sustain the Secretary for Foreign Missions. Some portion of this property was brought to him by his wife, but much was accumulated by his own efforts, and preserved by his economy.
His Education. - He possessed sufficient knowledge of Latin and Greek to examine any passages critically, but not enough to read them fluently. His library was a selection of the most approved authors, many of which he read with care. The Bible was his companion, and in it there was scarcely a verse upon which he was not able to give a judicious explication.
His efforts in the cause of benevolence were early put forth. He was the originator of the ministerial conferences in Powelton in 1801, which resulted in the formation of the general committee the next year. Of this body he was Secretary, and wrote the circular in 1805. In 1804, they resolved to establish a college, but could not procure a charter. In 1814, soon after Mr. Rice returned from India, he roused up the denomination on the subject of missions, and exhibited his sincerity by his contributions.
His personal appearance was such that no one, who had once seen, ever forgot him. He was moderately corpulent, over six feet in height, but his head was so long, the forehead reaching even to the crown, then protruding back so far as to make its horizontal line twice as long as its perpendicular. To strangers he was not interesting at first, he seemed dry and cold, without any of the fraternal sympathies which bind us to our species; but on acquaintance he was familiar and steadfast in his friendship. He was. of a taciturn disposition, and could not easily introduce subjects for conversation. He used to lament that he was so ill qualified as a pastor, not being able to bring in either the subject of religion or other interesting subjects; but, once propound questions on the Scriptures, and he would answer promptly for hours in succession.
He had a mind of his own on the meaning of the Bible, and so much moral courage that he would maintain his opinions if the whole world was in opposition to him. He had not that kind of liberality, which, though it might please men, disregards the injunctions of heaven - a liberality which narrows, lessens or attenuates the commands of the Bible. Yet he was kind and courteous, and hospitable to all denominations. His preaching was frequently practical - more generally doctrinal and experimental.
His Influence. - Perhaps no man ever exerted more influence over a thinking people than did he over a large portion of the State for half a century. It was his practice to visit many of the associations. In them he was regarded as a kind of oracle. His opinions and advice were sought throughout the State on important subjects, and generally carried the force and authority of a prophet. When he delivered his opinions, all were sensible that he had studied every subject relating to gospel order and discipline with care and discernment. After 1830, however, when New-Testism was marshalling its hosts, he was treated coolly by some, and with the rest of the friends of benevolence was charged with having departed from the faith, &c. &c, but only a small portion were alienated from him. Prior to this period, he was messenger from the Georgia to the Tugulo Association, and had taken his seat; but on presenting credentials from the State Convention as its messenger, he was rejected! He bore it all patiently, and convinced some at least by his meek deportment, that he was above returning evil for evil. "How is Mr. Mercer?" said Dr. Staughton to a gentleman from Georgia. "Well," was the answer. "He exerts great influence in that State," continued Dr. S. ''His word is law," replied the other. "I am sure," said the Doctor, "it is gospel." Judge Cobb, who was many years in Congress, was a great admirer of his talents and originality. He had incidentally, in a discourse which was listened to by many of the bar, discussed the subject of baptism. On retiring, Judge Cobb exclaimed to the lawyers, in his loud, blunt manner - "Who of your ministers can beat that?" He was clerk many years of the Georgia Association, and its uniform moderator after the death of Abram Marshall, till 1839 - also of the State Convention, till his health forbade his attendance.
He had his trials. A case of discipline with the Rev. Thomas Rhodes was the source of great grief and affliction. He had swerved from the path of rectitude, and several of his brethren were endeavoring to bring him to see his error; and though he would frequently make acknowledgments, his subsequent conduct impaired confidence, and opened afresh the wound that had been partially healed. Mr. Rhodes was an interesting and popular preacher. He had travelled much with Mr. Mercer, and their affection was strong for each other, like that of David and Jonathan; this made the trial severer. At meetings for healing the breaches which Mr. Rhodes had made, Mr. Mercer has been seen to burst out into a flood of tears and weep like a child over his wandering brother.
His heart was much engaged in building up the college which bears his name, and he desired very much that it should remain, as first proposed, located at Washington, near his residence. His brethren, however, thought Penfield the more suitable place, and it was with difficulty that he yielded to their judgment. When the thing was settled, not like some others, he entered upon the work of building up and endowing it with all his might.
His humility was a distinguishing trait in his character. With all his influence and reputation, he was accessible and humble as the poorest man on earth. He was remarkably punctual to his appointments and in his contracts. These points he urged upon his brethren with great force and example. His manner and his thoughts in preaching were eminently original: he tried to imitate no one, nor could any one imitate him with success. For two years his health had been feeble, and he had spent some days at the Indian Springs, and starting for Walton County was taken suddenly worse, and died 6th August, 1841, at Rev. James Carter's, in Butts County. His end was peaceful and happy.
A. S. [Probably Adiel Sherwood]
Note * It was moved, by some limb of the law in this Convention, that ministers be ineligible to the office of legislator, and the motion was warmly urged by both lawyers and doctors. Mr. Mercer moved to amend the motion by including both lawyers and doctors. During an adjournment which ensued before the matter was adjusted, Mr. M. was visited and urged to drop his amendment, as the projectors had agreed to drop the original motion. To this he agreed.
========= [From The Baptist Memorial and Monthly Chronicle, New York, April 15, 1842, pp. 107-110. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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