Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Sweet, Geroge D. 1779 - 1818
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 3, 2005, 10:30 am

Author: J. H. Campbell

GEORGE D. SWEET.

  Through the kindness of Rev. W. B. Johnson, D. D., of South Carolina, the
author has obtained from the widow of Mr. Sweet the following narrative, written
mostly by himself, which he takes great pleasure in inserting among these
sketches. It is gathered from a "part of his life he had commenced writing, and
from a Sabbath diary which he kept up to his last illness." He was a native of
Taunton, Massachusetts, and was born December 13th, 1779.

  "It appears necessary for me first to mention that I was sprinkled in my
infancy in the Episcopal form, in consequence of which I was thought eligible to
hold the office of vestryman in Savannah, which I did for several years, without
repentance or any idea of vital religion. I was called on by my friends, at a
very early period of my life, to be confirmed, the Bishop then being in Newport,
Rhode Island, where he then lived. At that time I could know but little of the
importance of the religion of Jesus, and was ignorant as to the nature of
baptism. And as to confirmation, I knew not what it meant: so I refused to be
confirmed. What were my reasons for doing so I know not; but so it was ordered
by an overruling Providence, that contrary to the gentle entreaties and positive
commands of my friends, I persisted in refusing. About the year 1792, at the age
of eleven or twelve, I left my friends in Newport for Hudson, in the State of
New York, it being their desire that I should study physic with a Dr. Wheaton. I
remained with him upwards of a year, during which time I was under powerful
convictions. Not recollecting particularly the nature of my impressions at that
time, I shall not attempt to record them. My aversion to the apothecary's shop
increased to such a degree that my friends consented to my return. My desire was
to become a merchant. Soon after my return to Newport, I obtained a place in a
retail store, which shortly opened a way for me in a wholesale store in New
York. Here I readily imbibed principles of infidelity, young as I was, from,
listening to the conversations of those with whom I resided. This was, if I
recollect rightly, about the time "Paine's Age of Reason" made its appearance in
New York. And, notwithstanding I was strengthened in error by that abominable
production, yet, whenever I was constrained by untoward circumstances to serious
reflection, I felt great doubt and apprehension, which generally produced severe
remorse of conscience. And I do not hesitate to declare that, however professed
deists may boast of the strength of their unbelief, there are seasons when each
and every one of them who steadfastly set their hearts to resist the light of
truth, feel its energy in flashes of conviction. But, alas! as I once did, so do
they—endeavor to silence that faithful but troublesome monitor, in the dreadful
delusion of pleasure.

  "From the failure of my employers, I experienced several changes of situation
in New York, in all of which I was left almost entirely to my own government. I
ran into excesses; but oh, that God who hath watched over and guarded me from my
infancy, kept me back from many presumptuous sins, by his restraining grace,
that my heart would have drawn me into. I was ambitious to preserve an
unblemished reputation. A virtuous action in another, always created in me a
desire of imitation. But alas! bad examples and dissipated company soon
familiarized me with vice. So that those things I once shuddered at in others, I
could now bear with, and could finally practice without remorse. Thus did vice
insinuate itself into my affections, until I became a votary to pleasure and
dissipation.

  "Towards the close of the year 1799, the merchant with whom I lived, having
considerable interest in a commercial house in Savannah, Georgia, and being
rather doubtful as to its security, and not needing my services any longer,
proposed my seeking a situation in this region of country, offering me
assistance and support in the way of business. Oh, how mercifully did the Lord
watch over me during my residence in New York, preserving me in the midst of
innumerable dangers. Several times was I raised from the bed of sickness, when
my life was despaired of. In 1795, when 'pestilence walked in darkness, and
destruction wasted at noonday,' although thousands fell at my side, and I lay in
the last stage of the yellow fever— given over by my physician and friends—then
surely did'the Lord deliver me from the noisome pestilence, and afterwards from
the snare of the fowler. I remember I was much troubled in my mind during this
visitation. Many of my sins were brought to my recolection, and in my delirium
it appeared to me that I was constantly struggling with a lion. Yet I do not
think I apprehended death; although I had the black vomit. The family with whom
I boarded fled the city soon after I was taken, leaving a servant maid to take
care of the house and me. She was soon taken with the distemper, and the Lord
was pleased to provide two or three friends to take care of us, by calling
occasionally, and bringing and sending us necessary nourishment, so that we were
not left entirely destitute.

  "In December, 1799, I left New York for Savannah. After a short and boisterous
passage we arrived, when I was kindly received and found sufficient employment.
I very soon felt a sympathy for the black people, and would sometimes reflect
how much delight it would give me, were it in my power, to afford them relief.
Though habit soon familiarized me to their condition, I must say I never felt a
disposition to consider them as beasts of burden.

  "In about six months, an opening presented itself for me to engage in business
on my own account, which I did in connection with two partners, one of whom was
established. I considered myself a complete merchant—could make the best of a
bad bargain—felt no compunction in overreaching my neighbor or overcharging my
friend. About June, 1800, I left Savannah for New York, to obtain credit and
make commercial friends, and on my way to Boston I visited my aunt and sister in
Newport, Rhode Island. And here, in gratitude to my dear friends, I must mention
that my sister and myself were left orphans; our earthly father being, as was
supposed, lost at sea before I was born, and our mother dying while I was an
infant. But our God raised us up a mother in my father's sister, who was,
perhaps, too fond of me for my good. My sister tenderly loved me, and her
fervent prayers have been heard in my behalf."

  Mr. Sweet accomplished the object of his Northern tour, and returned to
Savannah elated with success. In 1801, he became acquainted with Miss E. E.
Porchee, to whom he entered into an engagement for marriage, which was
consummated the 21st of December, of that year. His business seemed to be in a
very prosperous way, and he now considered himself a happy •man. This dream of
happiness, however, lasted but a few months. Speculations in which his firm had
embarked proved unsuccessful, and his prospects were at once overshadowed. Upon
the birth of their first child, in January, 1803, he proposed to his wife that
they should read a chapter in the Bible every night. This exercise was blessed
to his awakening. "This verse, 'The sceptre shall not depart from Judah,’ etc.,
elicited the first ray of divine light that ever shone on my benighted soul."
His mind was more or less interested on the subject of religion for several years.

  In 1807, he relinquished mercantile pursuits and retired to a farm. Here his
seriousness was much increased, and in 1809, the death of several relatives and
friends deeply affected him. He writes, "Death is certain, but the time allotted
for us, we know not. Therefore, how necessary is preparation for the awful
event! awful, indeed, to those who are not ready! 'In the midst of life we are
in death.' Oh, that these words could be so impressed upon my mind as to make me
set about the great work of repentance!" The work he did set about in earnest.
His wife was on a visit in the city to Mrs. Williams, wife of Rev. Thomas
Williams. He writes to her, "Tell Mr. Williams that I can call him brother now,
for Christ Jesus is my Redeemer." He was baptized in Savannah river (he
preferred the river to the font,} by Dr. Holcombe, May 13, 1810, and soon joined
Sunbury church by letter. Two years afterwards, he was ordained by Rev. W. B.
Johnson, then pastor in Savannah, and Rev. C. 0. Screven, pastor in Sunbury. The
sermon was preached by Dr. Johnson. The exercises connected with his ordination
being over, he proceeded at once to administer the ordinance of baptism to
seventy-six persons, "upon a lively profession of their faith in Christ." This
was at a church in Bryan county. Eight more were received the same day by
letter, and the exercises closed by the administration of the Lord's Supper. "A
number of former acquaintances had collected from different parts—many from.
Savannah—to witness his ordination, a great many more than the house could hold.
The same thing happened when he was baptized, his conversion being a remarkable
one, from so gay a man, caused the world to wonder and desire to know what
manner of spirit he was of."

  Mr. Sweet labored faithfully and successfully the few years allotted to him in
his Master's vineyard; for, when he died, January 29, 1818, there were seven
hundred and forty-seven members in his church. The most of these were colored
persons. In August, 1817, he was brought very low by a violent attack of fever,
from the effects of which he never recovered. He met his congregation for the
last time the second Sabbath in January, 1818. Riding home in a rain produced
cold and inflammation of his lungs, which brought him speedily to the grave.

  When his end approached, the friends present urged his wife to leave the room.
He let go her hand, saying, "Yes, go to your children." His death was most
triumphant. His friend and brother, Rev. C. 0. Screven, was with him in his last
moments. He was taken away in the midst of life and usefulness, having only
attained to his fortieth year.

  From the pen of Rev. Dr. Johnson, of South Carolina, we have the following
testimonial: "It was my privilege to enjoy the intimacy and confidence of this
dear man of God, and I regarded it an honor to do so. For he was, indeed, a most
devoted disciple and minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. There was something
remarkable about the character of my friend. Before our acquaintance, he had
conceived a violent opposition to me, simply because I believed and preached the
doctrine of God's electing love. And to such a height did that opposition rise,
that he meditated, and took some incipient measures to inflict bodily harm upon
me; but God restrained him. After his conversion, no brother loved me more
sincerely than he.

  "As he rode, in the days of his impenitence, in company with a friend by the
meeting-house., then in building, in which afterwards he so successfully
labored, he said, 'That house is building for me to preach in;' and on another
occasion, with a like prophetic spirit, tittered the following couplet:

    'If ever I'm a preacher,
     The Lord shall be my teacher.'

Both became true; for, during the absence of his family, the Lord arrested him
at his retired country seat, renewed, forgave and justified him without the
instrumentality of a living teacher. The Lord made him a preacher in the same
way; and in that meeting-house, in which he afterwards so faithfully and
effectively labored, he did indeed preach the gospel of that Lord."

  The author recollects to have heard Mr. Sweet preach once in Sunbury, the only
time he ever heard him. Never was a congregation more perfectly enchained in
their attention. His control over the passions of his hearers was absolute. They
rose and fell at the preacher's bidding. Occasionally he excited a smile, but,
almost throughout the entire discourse, the audience were bathed in tears. Men
wept that day who were scarce ever known to weep before. This was near the close
of his life.


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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