Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Law, Josiah S. 1808 - 1853
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 3, 2005, 1:55 pm

Author: J. H. Campbell

JOSIAH S. LAW.

  Josiah Spry Law, son of Rev. Samuel Spry Law and Rebeeca G., (Hughes,) his
wife, was born in Sunbury, Georgia, on the 5th of February, 1808, and there
received a good classical education, principally under the instruction of the
Rev. James Shannon. In 1827, that gentleman having removed to Augusta, at the
solicitation of the Baptist church in that city, and desiring an assistant in
his school, offered the place to Mr. Law, who accepted it, and at the same time
prosecuted his own studies. Here, during a revival of religion, he was converted
and united himself with the Baptist church.

  Up to this time, he had designed entering the profession of the law, to which
his mind was peculiarly adapted, and in which he would, no doubt, have been
distinguished. But God had other purposes for him, and his grace touched a chord
in the bosom of his young servant that had never vibrated before. It was not
long that he hesitated in regard to his duty. Surrendering all his previous
ambitious aims, he resolved to give himself, without reserve, to whatever work
the Master had called him. That work, he was persuaded, was the gospel ministry.
Accordingly, with a view to prepare himself for it, he soon after entered the
Theological Seminary, at Newton, Massachusetts, where he took the usual course
of three years, and graduated with credit. On his return home, he was called to
the care of the Sunbury church, and was ordained in December, 1830. (Rev.
Charles B. Jones and J. H. Campbell were ordained at the same time, and by the
same ceremony.)

  In January, 1831, he entered upon his ministerial duties, which were
discharged with so much zeal and ability that he at once won the confidence and
affection of his brethren. In October, 1832, he accepted an invitation to take
charge of the Baptist church at Macon; but, after remaining there a few months,
he returned, in the spring of 1833, and resumed his connection with the Sunbury
church. In 1885 he was called to the pastorate of the Baptist church in
Savannah, and after spending a year with them, was again called back to his
first charge, the Sunbury church; and, in consequence of the declining health of
his father, he felt it his duty to return. In 1840 he became the pastor of the
North Newport church, in Liberty county. He was, also, for several years, pastor
of the South Newport church, in McIntosh county.

  The Baptists in Liberty county have at no time been very strong, except with
the colored population, among whom they are the prevailing denomination. Of late
years the number of white communicants has been greatly diminished by removal
and death. Sunbury, where their chief strength lay, has been almost entirely
forsaken. The dead who sleep in its quiet graveyard, and whose faces are not
forgotten by the present generation, outnumber far its living inhabitants. The
old church is still there,* like a lonely sentinel amidst surrounding
desolation. Faithful to its office, its old bell yet breaks the silence of the
Sabbath morning to herald the coming of the missionary to the negroes, who, for
convenience, meet there from different points in the neighborhood, and for whose
sake a church organization is still preserved. North Newport has also suffered
severely, but not to the same extent, from the same causes. Winn, and the elder
Screven, and Dunham, and the elder Law, whose names are fragrant in the memory
of Baptists, have years ago entered upon their rest. Those who succeeded them in
the ministry have been called to other fields of labor in our own and in heathen
lands. The excellent brother whose career I have undertaken to trace, remained
and toiled through all discouragements in a position that promised but little
reward beyond the consciousness of a faithful discharge of duty.

*It was burned to the ground by federal soldiers during the late war.

  Deeply concerned for the spiritual welfare of the negroes from the
commencement of his ministry, he had been accustomed to devote part of his time
to their special benefit, and for several years previous to his death, the
largest part of his services was given to them. He was successful in his labors
among them, an evidence of which is found in the fact, that a short time
previous to his fatal sickness, he baptized thrity-six, and had, at the time of
his death, about sixty candidates for baptism. This was no unusual occurrence.
Nor was it the result of excitement. They were well instructed and intelligent
converts. It was his custom (as it is that of the Presbyterian brethren engaged
in the same work in Liberty county) not only to preach to them, but also to
teach them orally, old and young, upon every occasion, either before or after
the sermon. He felt that the soul of the black man was as precious to the
Saviour as that of the master, and every heart that loves Christ and the souls
of men, can appreciate the interest for this class and sympathize in the
reluctance with which he would contemplate a removal from his charge, that would
perhaps leave them without a shepherd and guide. His ambition was not for
worldly distinction, but to do his Master's will, and to do it well. Had he
sought distinction, it would not have been in vain. The positions he could have
commanded would have opened to him a field in which he could have gratified such
a desire, had he cherished it. A few years before his death, he was elected
professor in the theological department of Mercer University, but preferring the
more immediate duties of the ministry, he declined.

  He continued in the field of his early labors until attacked by a malignant
disease, to which he was much exposed in attendance upon sick and dying friends,
and which terminated his life while he was yet in the vigor of manhood, on the
5th of October, 1853. From the commencement of his illness his sufferings were
great—so great that he was unable to converse; and, though sometimes bewildered,
he was frequently heard to say, "Thy will, 0 Lord, not mine, be done!" and to
repeat some passage of scripture suited to himself and his sorrowing family. His
last words were two verses of that beautiful hymn commencing—

     "There is a land of pure delight."

  It is no unmerited eulogy to say. that the subject of this notice, in
intellectual endowments, in devotion to his high calling, in earnest eloquence,
and in fidelity to his office, occupied a very high rank in his profession.
Endowed with talents that might have qualified him for any station, he knew no
ambition but to serve God acceptably; he coveted no honor but that of being
"found in Christ." The bouyancy of his spirits and the warmth of his heart, his
frankness and the high tone of feeling which gave a beautiful finish to his
character, rendered him a fascinating companion and a valued friend, while his
integrity and manly independence secured the respect of all. His wit and genial
humor in social intercourse made him highly attractive to all classes, and
especially to the young, over whom his influence was happily exerted. Social in
his feelings, he did not seclude himself in cold isolation from the world around
him; but having a heart that could participate in the happiness and sympathize
in the sorrows of others, he gave freedom to the noblest emotions of the soul,
and endeared himself to his friends by identifying himself with them in every
scene of life. His attachments were strong, and he made no professions of regard
but such as were the spontaneous breathings of a warm and generous heart. No man
had warmer friends, and no one was worthier of them.

  As a preacher, he was nice in his discriminations, unfolding the doctrines of
the gospel with clearness, and applying them with great power to the practical
duties of life. Independent in thought, and bold in declaring what he believed
to be the truth, his sermons were rich in matter, logical, and habitually
instructive. His preparations for the pulpit were thorough, and when he entered
the sanctuary, it was with beaten oil. Ardent in feeling, his eloquence was
often highly impassioned, and his whole manner was well fitted to give effect to
his discourses. His last sermon, which was preached the day on which he was
attacked by the malady that terminated his life, is said to have been
characterized by remarkable unction and impressiveness. "Christ crucified" was
always the burden of his preaching, as it was the ground of his hope.

  Mr. Law was rather below the medium height, well formed, and of agreeable
personal appearance. A free, open countenance, sparkling brown eyes, and a head
of fine intellectual development, were expressive of frankness, vivacity and
intelligence. His physical, intellectual and moral man were in admirable harmony.

  Mr. Law was married on the 13th of January, 1831, to Ellen S. Barrett, of
Augusta, Georgia. This estimable lady, with ten children—nine sons and a
daughter—survived him. His oldest son had just entered the profession of
medicine, and the next that of law, at the time of his death. He was very happy
in his domestic relations, and proved to the wife of his youth a devoted
husband. Practically a stranger to austerity, his children were encouraged to be
open and frank in his presence. At the same time he held them, under all needful
restraint, thus blending, in his intercourse with them, the freedom of
companionship with the authority of "one that ruleth well his own house."

  His servants were brought under the same rule of kindness and decision by
which he controlled his children. His interest in this class of our Southern
population I have already referred to, but it may not be out of place here to
remark that he was, in turn, greatly loved by them, and little is hazarded in
saying that, in all our broad domain, no servant of Jesus is more sacredly
enshrined in the hearts of the grateful children of Africa, who received the
gospel from his lips, and to whose spiritual good his life was consecrated.


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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