Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Screven, Charles O. 1774 - 1830
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 30, 2005, 10:44 pm

Author: J. H. Campbell


CHARLES O. SCREVEN, D. D.

  CHARLES ODINGSELL SCREVEN was the son of General James Screven, who was killed
during the revolution, by a party of Tories and Indians, near Medway
meeting-house, Liberty county, Georgia. He was born in 1774, and in February,
1786, when twelve years of age, (having given evidence that he was "born
again,") was baptized by Dr. Furman, in Charleston, South Carolina, and united
with the Baptist church in that place. As he has left no journal or record of
himself, we must pass by the period of his youth—the time he passed as a student
in Brown University, Rhode Island, where he graduated— and come at once to the
commencement of his ministry in Sun-bury, Liberty county. He was heir to a
handsome patrimony, and owned a plantation in Bryan county, called "The
Retreat," opposite Sunbury, where he resided temporarily, after his return from
college. Having been licensed by the Charleston church, he visited Sunbury in
the latter part of the year 1801, and inquired if preaching would be acceptable
to the inhabitants of the town. Having obtained their unanimous consent, he
preached to them. They expressed a willingness to hear him again the next
Sabbath, and were gratified. They then expressed a wish for a continuation of
his services, to which he cheerfully consented. There was not a single Baptist
in the place. A church of Congregational Presbyterians occupied the ground and
owned a small meeting-house. Morals were exceedingly low and the people
desperately wicked.

  Only a few weeks after Mr. Screven had entered regularly upon his labors in
Sunbury, the Rev. Mr. Hoyt arrived, who had been invited by Mr. Gildersleeve,
pastor of Medway church, (unknown to the people in Sunbury,) to preach there and
at New Port. Mr. Screven, feeling himself delicately situated, lest he should be
in the way of Mr. Hoyt, submitted the matter to Rev. Mr. Lewis, also a
Presbyterian, who assured him that his services were desired by the community,
and encouraged him to persevere.

  He accordingly went on, amidst many discouraging circumstances, until several
colored persons were converted as seals of his ministry. He had been in the
habit of delivering but one sermon each Sabbath, on account of the feeble state
of his health. Several members of his congregation manifested their personal
interest in the gospel by expressing a desire to have two sermons a day, instead
of one. He complied with their desire, and the seed sown began to spring up. Mr.
Screven visited Charleston, and was ordained by Dr. Furman, Mr. Botsford, and
Mr. Clay, of Savannah, on the 29th of May, 1804. About the same time he was
married to a Mrs. Jones, the mother of Rev. Charles B. Jones, late of Savannah,
and now of Florida. With this amiable lady he lived only about a year. She died,
leaving him one child, who was also a minister of the gospel, Rev. James 0.
Screven. Happy woman! the mother of only two children, and they both "watchmen
upon Zion's walls!"

  Soon after his return from Charleston, several colored people applied for
baptism. As there was no Baptist church, perhaps, nearer than Savannah, Mr.
Screven invited Rev. Mr. Clay to attend with him in Sunbury, which he did. They
heard their experiences, and Mr. Screven baptized them on the 30th June. From
this date to the 2d of November, 1806, seventy persons were baptized, among whom
were only two whites, Mr. Jacob Dunham and wife. He subsequently became an
eminently pious and useful minister of the gospel.

  Mr. Screven had been invited by Mr. Gildersleeve to unite with the
Presbyterians, who stated many advantages that would probably ensue. He declined
the offer, however, assuring the reverend gentleman that he acted from
principle, and that while the Bible remained as "the only rule of faith and
practice among Christians," he could not be anything but a Baptist. A
conversation on the subject of baptism ensued, which ended without conviction to
either.

  A Baptist church having been constituted, Mr. Screven addressed a letter to
the selectmen of the Congregational church, requesting permission to administer
the Lord's Supper and worship occasionally in their meeting-house. To this
request he received an affirmative answer, and for a time matters went on
prosperously. Nearly all who had hitherto been immersed were colored people. But
so soon as the word was received with gladness by a few "honorable women," the
opposition of the Congregational minister (who was Socinian in faith,) and their
unconverted husbands and friends began to be manifested, which finally resulted
in the withdrawal of the Baptists from the "old meeting-house," as it was
called, and the erection of a Baptist house of worship.

  An old disciple, familiar with the scenes and men of those times, writes me as
follows: "So soon as his doctrine clashed with that they had so long sat under,
the strife began. Christ and him crucified, and occasionally touching upon
doctrinal subjects, soon brought upon him the enmity and contempt of those
around him, and your brother, who addresses you, was not among the least in the
opposition. Notwithstanding all this, he fearlessly delivered his Master's
message, which soon, as a sharp arrow, pierced the hearts of some to conviction
and conversion. Judge now the feeling this excited in this unconverted
community. Families became divided, and, amidst many heart-burnings, the
community were invited to convene at “the old meeting-house," to see if terms
could not be agreed upon which would secure more peace and harmony as regarded
Mr. Screven's preaching, etc. I remember well the day. After opening the
meeting, the subject (baptism by immersion,') was brought up, which appeared
greatly to disturb the feelings of the unthinking portion. Remarks the most
unpleasant were made on that subject and the divisions made in families, by the
Congregational minister. At length Mr. Screven rose, with a calmness and dignity
peculiar to himself, and, addressing the minister, remarked "For though I preach
the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me, yea, woe
is unto me, if I preach not the gospel," and immediately resumed his seat. This
was "a nail, fastened by the Master of assemblies in a sure place." It
electrified the audience, and they broke up without coming to any conclusion to
proscribe him. Finding, however, that his doctrine was offensive to many, he
withdrew peaceably, and for a time preached in private houses. A subscription
having been raised to build a Baptist meetinghouse, Mr. Screven gave the lot for
a site, and the house long in use was soon completed.

  The same aged disciple illustrates the spirit of his opposers, as well as the
character of Mr. Screven by the following anecdote: "While sitting with his
wife, beside an evening fire, of a winter night, a large stone was thrown at his
head, which barely missed their infant, which was in his arms at the time.
Handing the babe to his wife, he instantly rose, and walking out into the
piazza, called out to the miscreant in the dark: 'If I am the object, here I
am.' The wretch shrunk away from the presence of such goodness, without offering
any other insult, or attempting any further injury."

  Many, who were at first opposed to him, became his spiritual children; and
others laid aside their opposition, and became members of his congregation.
Thus, by an affectionate and simple exhibition of truth, he was instrumental in
turning many from darkness to light; and by his consistent Christian deportment,
he disarmed others of their enmity and prejudice against him. But he confined
not his labors to Sunbury; the neighboring county heard the glad tidings from
his lips; and no doubt the glorified souls of many poor negroes and white men
are at this time shining stars in the bright crown that encircles his brow. In
the year 1813, he was married to the present Mrs. Barbara H. Screven: by whom he
had several children. Of these, three are still living. At this time, he was
afflicted with the desease in the eye which terminated his life. From 1802 to
1821, though he suffered severely from his diseased eye, yet his labors were
uninterrupted. From 1821 to the time of his dissolution, his increasing
affliction necessarily interrupted his faithful labors. As a pastor, he was
tender, affectionate and faithful to his people; ever striving to show himself a
pattern in all things. As a preacher, he was sound, urgent and instructive. In
consequence of the diseased state of his eye, he seldom wrote; but when he did,
he evinced much strength of mind and power of reasoning. As a master, he was
kind and humane to his servants. His honored widow says, she never saw him
chastise a servant; he always counseled them, as friends who had distressed him.
As a lover of souls, as a submissive Christian under affliction, and as an
affectionate husband and father, let me give the testimony of his widowed
partner, who held affectionate converse with him seventeen years. As stated
above, they were married in the year 1813, and at this time he was afflicted
with the desease, which terminated his life. It was, even then, very painful and
distressing to him; so much so as to disturb his rest. But, she says, for
seventeen years she never heard him use one expression of repining against the
dealings of God towards him. This disease was, for many years, slow in its
progress; but, for six years before he died, his eye became exceedingly
distressing. He would often sit up for hours at night in great agony, unable to
find relief from anything. When his beloved wife would remark upon the severity
of his suffering, he would reply, "Ah, my dear! it is just as it should be; I
desire that the will of God should be done with me." Such submissive language as
this was often expressed by him. His friends and physicians often advised him to
give up preaching, and go to other places and try and find some cure for his
malady. He once went to Savannah, and once to Philadelphia, but obtained no
permanent relief from his visits. He was devoted to the interests of the church;
and nothing could induce him to relinquish preaching, as long as he was able to
speak for God. He sometimes thought he out to give up his charge of the church,
because he was not able to fulfil the duties of a pastor in visiting among his
people, which he often lamented. He twice resolved to give up his charge of the
church; but his brethren did not appear willing to give him up, as long as there
was a prospect of his being restored. His beloved wife says, she has seen him
bowed down and in great distress, and upon inquiring into the cause, fearing he
was in great pain from his eye, his answer would be, "Oh, poor, perishing souls!
my heart bleeds to think how many are going to the chambers of woe and despair;
and even here, in this little place, many are in the road to eternal misery."
Thus did this devoted servant of God show, that though he had bodily pain enough
to engross all his feelings, yet he had a soul that could and did weep over
perishing men. He would frequently say, "I think my work is done in Sunbury; I
must go to some other place, and give way to some one more useful; but how can I
leave these brethren? They are dear to me." He was indeed bound to the church by
tender ties; for although he has repeatedly said, that he did not know if one
soul was converted by the means of his preaching, yet he had baptized them, and
the church had grown up under his care. He has been known to come home from
church after having excommunicated some of the colored members, and weep in his
room for the remainder of the afternoon, and be in great heaviness. Such seasons
always caused him much bodily pain, for it always increased the inflammation of
his eye, and deprived him of sleep at night; but he seldom spared himself. He
was an affectionate husband and fond father, and he manifested his parental
affection in the deep, heart-felt interest he took in the spiritual interest of
his children. Though he was a most affectionate father, yet when his Lord was
pleased to call from his bosom those whom he tenderly loved, he was submissive;
and when three of his dear children were taken away from him in one week, he was
more than submissive—he seemed to give them up cheerfully to the call of his
Master. We now approach the period when he took his last leave of his dear
church, no more to behold them on this side the grave.

  When he was advised to visit New York, he said he would go because his friends
wished it, and he valued their advice; and he also said, he should leave home
without the least expectation of ever returning to it. The evening before he
left, his black people came to bid him farewell. It was a truly affecting scene.
They appeared overwhelmed with grief. He was in an agony of distress; he said he
felt as though he were parting with his own dear children. The next morning he
and his beloved partner bade farewell to their dear friends. He suffered much on
his way to Savannah, and, for several days while there, he was not able to speak
without great pain. But whenever he did speak, it was to bless the Lord for all
his mercies to him. He bore his passage to the north with the greatest
submission, and even cheerfulness at times. His temple, which had also become
diseased, bled twice on the voyage, so much as to alarm his wife. On discovering
her distress, he said to her: "You must not be distressed or alarmed, for I am
in the hands of the Lord, who has ever watched over me with loving kindness and
tender mercies, and all he lays upon me is for my good." They arrived in New
York the twelfth day after they sailed. When he took leave of the captain of the
ship, he said: "Farewell, captain; I shall never meet you on earth again, but we
shall meet in another world. May my heavenly Father draw you to his Son, our
Lord Jesus Christ, and give you a place in his kingdom!" When they arrived at
their lodgings, which had been previously provided for them by a kind Christian
friend, he appeared to get more comfortable in a day or two than he had been
since he left home.

  The doctor, who was to attend him, called the same day he arrived, but
declined making the application of his salve until the inflammation in his eye
had subsided. He, however, made an emollient application for several days, which
was of very great service to him; so much so as to excite in Mrs. Screven very
great hopes of his recovery. When the first severe plaster was applied, he said
it was much less painful than he expected; and when, after six days, it was
taken off, the effect produced by the plaster made the prospect of his recovery
still more encouraging. The doctor said that his constitution was so much broken
down by his long affliction, that he did not wish to make an application of the
drawing salve to his eye, and therefore thought the poultices should be
continued. He would often entreat his wife not to indulge any sanguine hopes of
his recovery, for he did not expect to reach his home again. He said, if it were
his Lord's will, he was willing and satisfied to die even among strangers. He
was able to speak but very little, for his teeth were almost closed. He could
take no nourishment but soup, or something of that kind. His appetite left him
and his strength began to fail. His bowels became the seat of his disorder, and
his throat became so sore that he swallowed with difficulty. Everything was done
for him that could be done. He had two physicians attending him besides the
cancer doctor. They all treated him with great kindness, and they observed that
they had never witnessed before so much Christian patience and resignation.
Whenever he could speak, it was to praise God for his mercies, and he would
sometimes break forth into an ecstacy and speak of the love of God to a
perishing and rebellious world. He would thank God for the gift of his dear Son
Jesus Christ, and that he had been brought, through grace, to take refuge in the
Saviour of sinners. He would say to his wife, "Oh, my dear! how good is the
Lord! You do not know how much mercy is displayed toward me in all my
affliction; you do not know how much sin and corruption there is in my heart to
be subdued. My righteous Lord doth all things well. Pat your trust in the Lord,
and he will support you under every trial." Mrs. Screven says the day before his
departure for a better world she was sitting by his bedside while he appeared to
be in a profound sleep, but she thought his sleep did not appear natural, and it
occurred to her that he might be nearer his end than she had supposed. She was
very much overcome with the apprehension, and when, he roused up he saw that she
was distressed, and said to her, "My dearest love, do not afflict yourself; I
feel better now, much better; perhaps I may live some days yet; but you will be
called upon to pass through this trial; stay your soul on God, lean on the arm
of Jesus; he is a sure support in every time of need. I am fixed on the rock,
Christ Jesus." She observed, "know you will be happy, I know that Christ will
receive you." He answered, "His righteousness is all my trust; my only hope of
salvation is in the merits of his blood." Mrs. Screven regrets much her having
discouraged his talking, inasmuch as it was painful to him, but she could not
believe that he was so near his end, nor did he think the parting hour was so
near. The Sabbath previous to this time he was very weak and drowsy all day, for
he had taken a great deal of the "black drop" the evening before. He roused up
quite late in the evening and asked, "Is this Tuesday, my dear?" She told him,
"No; that it was the Lord's day." He raised himself up and said, "Is it possible
I have spent all this precious Sabbath on my back—the day which saw my Lord rise
from the tomb ?" But he would soon relapse into a sound sleep, to all
appearances. He began about this time to be a little wandering in his mind, and
would frequently speak of home, of the church, of the servants, of the children,
and of his wife. When she would ask him what he said, he would reply that it was
only in his wanderings that he could think he was at home. Mrs. Screven states,
in the afternoon of the last day he was with her upon earth, she went to apply a
poultice to his eye; he had always, previous to this time, assisted her in
making the applications, but on this occasion he lay perfectly helpless. She
could not refrain from weeping, and when she had finished making the application
she sobbed aloud, not supposing that it could disturb him. Her sobs, however,
did arouse him, and he began immediately to praise God and entreat her not to be
afflicted, but to make Christ her refuge, and to remember their dear children
and bring them up for God. He again become very drowsy, and spoke but little
through the night, though he had his senses to his very last breath. The lady
with whom they lodged watched with Mrs. Screven a part of this night. When she
came in, Mrs. Screven, knowing his dislike to having strangers in his room, and
fearing that he might wake up and see her suddenly, spoke to him and told him
that Mrs. M. had come in to sit awhile with her. He spoke affectionately to her,
and inquired after her health and her family. She asked him how he felt? He
replied, "Quite easy, much better than I deserve; but God is very good to me."
He observed further to her, very calmly, "The tabernacle is nearly dissolved,
but we are assured from the word of truth that we have a building of God, an
house not made with hands eternal in the heavens." His affectionate wife sat by
his bed all night, giving him his nourishment and medicine. Whenever she would
awake him for the purpose, he would entreat her in the most affectionate manner
to go to bed, telling her that she would be entirely worn out, and would feel
her fatigue when it was all over. He said the Lord was with him. Of this she had
consoling evidence from his frequently calling upon the Lord as his
righteousness, his precious Saviour, and his speaking of him as his strength and
Redeemer. There never was the least indication of a fear of death, or even of a
wish to remain on earth. He would shed tears when he saw his fond wife
distressed, or when his dear children would come around him, particularly his
youngest, his little Benjamin; he would press him to his bosom and kiss him, and
say, "My God! thy will be done!" The night preceding the morning of his
departure, he complained of numbness in his feet and legs. Just at the dawning
of the day on Friday morning, Mrs. Screven heard him sigh; she approached his
bed and asked him how he felt. He replied, if it were not for excessive
weakness, he could say he felt very well, for he had no pain at all. She saw
very plainly that there was a great change in him, and that he was rapidly
approaching his end. She called to Mrs. M. in the next room, and the family very
soon assembled. He fixed his dying eyes upon his dear partner and said, "My
dear, I am going; all will soon be over." She asked him if he felt Christ
precious; he replied, "Oh yes," and breathed his last, without the least
struggle or apparent pain, in about three minutes after. His emancipated spirit
took its flight about six o'clock Friday morning, 2d of July, 1830—aged
fifty-seven years. "Oh! how precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of
his saints!" The sainted Screven now "rests from his labors, and his works do
follow him"—works that shall endure when the proudest monuments of earthly
greatness shall have passed away— works that shall remain before the throne of
the eternal, as fruits of his untiring zeal in the cause of his Saviour. The
author was baptized by this good man.


Additional Comments:
From:

GEORGIA BAPTISTS: HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
BY
J. H. CAMPBELL,
PERRY, GEORGIA.


MACON, GA.: J. W. BURKE & COMPANY. 1874.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by
J. H. CAMPBELL,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.




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