Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Vining, Jeptha before 1755 - unknown ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 31, 2005, 9:40 pm Author: J. H. Campbell JEPTHA VINING. Very little of the early life of this veteran soldier of the cross is known. Where he was born, or where educated; where or when he entered upon the work of the ministry, is alike hidden in the obscurity of the past. The first account we have of him is, in 1755 he was a messenger of the Lynch's creek church in the Charleston Association. He is marked in the minutes as a minister, and the presumption is, was at this time, pastor of the church. Ho appears again as the representative of the Upper Fork of Lynch's creek, and this is all the record we find of him in the Charleston Association. But from sundry persons who have emigrated from that part of South Carolina to this State, with whom we have had an intimate acquaintance, some of whom were members of the said Lynch's creek church, and who sat under his ministry, we have learned that he was a zealous, faithful and very successful minister of the gospel. He, it is believed, was instrumental in rearing up several churches in that section before he removed to Georgia, which was during, or soon after the revolutionary war. It appears he settled upon the Rocky Comfort creek, about twelve miles above Louisville. Here he commenced preaching, and soon raised a church, which was called Providence, and is still in existence. Having lost his wife at this place, he, some time after, sought and found another, about twenty miles above, on the Ogeechee river, to which place he removed his residence, and immediately commenced preaching at a Mr. Fowler's, where his ministry was so blessed that a church was constituted, and still exists as the Long Creek church of Ogechee. He was called to the pastoral care of this church, whilst he continued also to supply the Providence church. He was instrumental in getting up some other preaching establishments, but whether he acted as pastor in any, save the two already mentioned, does not certainly appear. He closed his distinguished and useful life about the year 1787, in full belief of the truth of those doctrines he had advocated during his long and successful ministry. Mr. Vining was a firm believer in the Calvinistic doctrines, and, of course, constantly defended them—such as election, predestination, effectual calling, and the final perseverence of the saints through grace to eternal glory. These were his constant and favorite topics. It has been, we know, the opinion of many that the preaching of these doctrines is not favorable to the conversion of sinners; but the reverse of this was manifested in the ministry of Mr. Vining. He preached the doctrine of election without reserve. It was his theme, and yet few have been more successful in the conversion of sinners to God, and in promoting practical godliness in the churches. 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. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/unknown/bios/gbs699vining.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 3.6 Kb