Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Davis, Jonathan 1798 - 1869
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 4, 2005, 1:42 pm

Author: J. H. Campbell

JONATHAN DAVIS.

  In attempting to perpetuate the memory of the worthy dead, the author of this
work has frequently been reminded of that scripture: "For what is your life? It
is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." The
material for a history of even the great and gifted—of men who occupy a large
space in the public eye, and who exert a powerful influence while living—are
often found to be exceedingly meager when they have passed away. Such is the
case with reference to Jonathan Davis—one of the most gifted men the State has
ever produced, and, for many years, one of the most popular and successful
preachers. Though so little can be said of him now, it is deemed proper to
record his name at least, on that roll of worthies, whose labors and sacrifices
have done so much for the cause of truth and righteousness in the land.

  He was born in Wilkes county, Georgia, in 1798, near the church called Clark's
Station, and was a son of Rev. William Davis, whose name also appears in these
pages. At what age he was converted we are not informed, though it is believed
to have been while he was yet young. He was baptized by his father, and soon
thereafter commenced preaching. Soon after his ordination, he took charge of a
small church in Elbert county, which had barely a nominal existence, and which
had been on the eve of dissolution for years. A gracious revival was soon
experienced, and the membership was increased to upwards of a hundred. About the
year 1829, he became pastor of the church at Crawfordville, where he resided for
years, and where the greatest success crowned his labors. The church enjoyed a
succession of revivals, during which hundreds were converted and baptized. The
blessed influence extended to the neighboring churches, which also experienced
great prosperity. It is related of him, that he baptized sixty on a certain
Sabbath morning at Bethesda church, Greene county. A Presbyterian lawyer took
note of the time which was occupied in the ceremony, which was only fifteen
minutes. He declared that, at that rate, the apostles could have baptized the
three thousand on the day of Pentecost in one hour— "And he went on his way,"
still a Presbyterian. Daring a portion of the time of his residence at
Crawfordville, he also served the Antioch and Sugar creek churches in Morgan
county, in both of which his ministry was eminently successful. A gentleman
informed the writer that he saw him baptize, on a certain Sabbath, at the latter
church, upwards of seventy candidates, and the writer himself was present in a
revival at the former church when he baptized more than eighty. There was no
duty in which he delighted more than in administering baptism. Long before his
ministry ceased, it was claimed that he had baptized upwards of three thousand
souls, which was no doubt true.

  The temperance cause, which, for a series of years, occupied much of public
attention, and excited much interest, found in Mr. Davis an ardent friend, and
an eloquent advocate. In fact, there was no cause involving the interests of his
fellowmen, to the support of which he did not bring all the ardor of his nature
and all the gifts of oratory, with which he was so highly endowed. He threw his
whole soul into the support of the objects of our State Convention, especially
the improvement of the rising ministry. His own educational opportunities having
been quite limited, he left nothing undone that would contribute to the
advantage of the young ministers rising up around him. He accordingly made
provision for the board and tuition of several young brethren at Crawfordville,
where he resided, as will be seen by reference to the records of the State
Convention. This arrangement was continued for some years. Among those who
reaped the benefits of it was Jesse Moon, father of the Misses Moon, now
missionaries in China, himself a man of no mean ability. While Mercer University
was yet in its obscure and peurile infancy, struggling to maintain a mere
existence, he traveled extensively to raise funds for its endowment, and to
secure pupils for its halls.

  He was of an exceedingly kind and catholic spirit. He was not a man of strife,
but a man of peace. He delighted in being a peace-maker. The writer remembers
several instances in which he labored for days, and labored successfully, to
reconcile brethren who had Been long estranged from each other; and then, how
tears of gratitude would stream down his cheeks when he would see them once more
united in the love of Christ.

  About the year 1842, and before fanaticism had blinded the eyes and subverted
the reason of our Northern neighbors, he visited that section, lectured, and had
several public discussions on the subject of slavery. In Boston he had a debate
with Nathaniel Colver, the chosen leader of the Abolitionists, lasting two days,
at the close of which he took the vote on Colver, who was defeated on his own
field, and that, too, by a large majority. At Hamilton, New York, the seat of
their Theological Seminary, he had a similar discussion, in which he was also
triumphant. Wherever he went, he received marked attentions from the most
distinguished men of the country, and was spoken of in the highest terms by
their leading journals.

  He was a man of strong faith. "Have faith in God." A friend relates the
following: "On one occasion I was at Mr. Davis' house when he returned from
yisiting a friend who was 'sick nigh unto death.' The attending physician and
friends had lost all hope, and were standing about his bed, expecting that every
moment would be his last. Under these circumstances Mr. Davis entered the sick
chamber, asked a few questions and knelt in prayer, soon after which he left.
Upon his return home, I inquired about the sick man, and he replied in
substance, 'He is very sick indeed, and I believe he would have died if I had
not entreated the Lord that he might live. But I have faith that he has
graciously heard my prayer, and feel assured that he will recover.' In a few
days his expectation was verified, and he who was considered sick beyond
recovery was restored to health. 'The prayer of faith shall save the sick.' He
had other similar experiences in the course of his ministry."

  In the year 1835, while yet in the zenith of his popularity and usefulness, he
removed from Crawfordville, with several prominent families from the same
region, and settled in the village of Palmyra, on Kinchafoonee creek, in Lee
county. Here he spent many years in active ministerial labors, which were
crowned with abundant success in founding and building up churches, and in
giving the Baptists a prestige in that section which they have never lost. He
received active sympathy and liberal support from the intelligent and pious men
who emigrated with him to that region—the Janes', Mercers, and others of the
same class—and from those who were brought into the kingdom through his
instrumentality. Here, also, he raised a large family, many of whom, or their
children, reside in Southwestern Georgia, and all of whom occupy respectable
positions in society, and are faithful adherents of the faith so ably advocated
by their worthy sire.

  It would be pleasant to close this narrative here, but the truth of history
demands that we go further. For several years, rumors, unfavorable to the moral
character of Mr. Davis, obtained currency, and cast a dark shadow over his
hitherto brilliant career. Under this state of things, he left Georgia and
located in lower Alabama, but did not escape the troubles which had well nigh
already crushed him. In his new home, other and similar rumors arose, upon which
he was arraigned before his church, tried, and, upon what was believed by many
entirely insufficient testimony, was excluded from the church and deposed from
the ministry. He did not resist the authority of the church, nor attempt to
produce a schism, nor draw off a party in his own support, as many other
preachers have done, and as he, no doubt, could have done. He submitted,
trusting that a faithful God would one day wipe out the reproach thus brought
upon his own cause, and vindicate the character of his servant. (The then pastor
of the church, Rev. Sanders Dennard, afterwards missionary to Africa, was
understood to be decidedly opposed to their action in his exclusion, and to have
used all his influence to prevent it.)

  Mr. Davis did not remain long a citizen of Alabama, but returned to Georgia
and settled in his old neighborhood in Lee county. Years passed away—sad years
to him—when the church in Alabama by which he had been excluded, of its own
accord (and without any request from him or his friends,) reconsidered his case,
rescinded their action in his exclusion, restored him to fellowship and to the
ministry, and sent him written testimonials of these facts; upon which he was
received into a church in the Bethel Association, (perhaps the church at
Albany,) resumed the work of the ministry, lived several years in good repute,
and was gathered, in his old age, as a shock of corn fully ripe into the garner
of the Lord. He died in 1869.

  It is not pretended that Mr. Davis was free from faults and foibles. Not many
faultless characters are found on earth. But it is believed that the testimony
of his life proved him to be a good man. If he had faults, let them be buried
with him in the grave, and let his virtues only be remembered. If the Baptists
were as careful of the reputation of their ministers as are other denominations,
it may be that the dark cloud which overshadowed him for a time, would have been
dispersed before it was formed.


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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