Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Dennard, Jared Sanders 1818 - circa 1855
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 4, 2005, 7:52 pm

Author: J. H. Campbell

JARED SANDERS DENNARD.
MISSIONARY TO AFRICA.

  The author acknowledges his indebtedness to Mr. John Smith, father-in-law of
Mr. Dennard, for the use of papers and letters which are of inestimable value to
his family, and which are, of themselves, exceedingly interesting. Among these
is a sketch by Rev. A. T. Holmes, D. D., of which he makes free use, as if
written by himself. No man was better qualified for the task than Dr. Holmes.

  The subject of this notice was born in Twiggs county, Georgia, October 28,
1818, where he was educated in an excellent academy, under Mr. Milton Wilder. In
1834, he removed with his parents to Houston county, and soon joined a company
of volunteers, raised to protect the settlements from hostile Indians. He served
as a soldier about three months, and secured the confidence of his companions by
his fearless and manly deportment. On his return home, after spending some
months without any positive employment, he studied law under Kelly & Rice, in
Perry, and was admitted to the bar July, 1839. He continued the practice of law
about five years, and his friends were encouraged to hope that he would
distinguish himself in the honorable profession which he had chosen. But "He who
worketh all things after the counsel of his own will," and who makes kings, as
well as soldiers and lawyers, his willing subjects in the day of his power, had
other and more important work for him to do. Some time in the spring of 1845 he
was made to feel that he was a guilty sinner. Under his deep convictions, he
mingled with the people of God and listened to the preaching of the gospel as
one who felt that he had a special interest in the glad tidings which it
proclaims. In good earnest he sought the forgiveness of sin through the blood of
Christ, and was soon enabled to rejoice in an humble hope of peace with God.

  In the commencement of his Christian career, he seemed to realize, in a
peculiar manner, the spirit of the Apostle, and his inquiry was, "Lord, what
wilt thou have me to do?" To submit to the authority of his Divine Master, to
obey his commands, and to consecrate himself to his service, seemed to
constitute the spirit of his religion. He took a high position at once as a
Christian, and secured fellowship with the people of God, as one whose elavated
purpose was to adorn the Saviour's doctrine, and to walk worthy of his high
vocation. He was baptized by Dr. Holmes some time in the month of October, 1845,
and soon thereafter, yielding to his convictions of duty, he engaged in the
important work of the Christian ministry. His knowledge of theology being quite
limited, and being desirous of showing himself "approved unto God, a workman
that need not to be ashamed," he became a diligent and prayerful student of the
scriptures. It soon became obvious that he had entered upon the study of this
Book of books with the full conviction that it contained the will of God
respecting himself and those among whom he expected to labor. With childlike
simplicity he sat at the feet of the Great Teacher and learned of Him, and as he
learned, he taught. In December, 1846, he was ordained, at the request of the
Baptist church at Perry, and entered at once upon the work of an evangelist.

  After spending two years in closing up his business as a lawyer, he left the
State of Georgia and settled in Alabama, when he abandoned the legal profession
and devoted himself exclusively to the work of the ministry. He was soon called
to the watchcare of four churches, his connection with which was characterized
by prayerful faithfulness not only to them, but also to the unconverted of their
congregations, for while he fed the flock of God, he manifested deep concern for
the salvation of sinners. He continued in the service of these churches about
three years, during which time they prospered greatly. From the time of his
conversion, however, he had been impressed it was his duty to bear the news of
salvation to benighted Africa. These impressions finally ripened into a fixed
resolve, and he set about in earnest making the necessary preparation. It was
believed that married men stood a  better chance of success in that field, and,
finding in Miss Frances Smith, daughter of John M. and Nancy H. Smith, one of
kindred views on the subject of missions, and one whom he believed would prove
an "help-meet"- to him indeed, he sought her hand in marriage. The following
extracts from a letter to her father are expressive of his views and feelings on
this subject: "For years the subject has been impressed upon my mind in such a
manner as to make me dissatisfied in every situation in which I have been
placed, and often to make me unhappy. I reasoned upon the subject in this way:
Our blessed Lord and Master commands us to 'go into all the world and preach the
gospel to every creature.' The benighted heathens are God's creatures—for them a
Saviour has died. They have never heard the gospel. Under the command of Christ,
it is the duty of somebody to go and preach it to them. Why is it not my duty as
well as that of any one else? Who can determine this solemn and important
question? Can relations or friends do it? Can they think and feel as I think and
feel on this vastly important subject? Can they come in as judge between me and
my God, and decide what is my duty? Will that release me from the obligations I
owe to Christ, who says to me, and to all who would follow him, 'If any man come
to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and
brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.'
'He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that
loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me.' Are they prepared to
make an impartial decision? Who, then, was to decide this question? I, and I
only, could decide it. I have decided it, prayerfully and rightly, I trust. Go I
must, whatever the cost may be."

  Mr. Dennard then proceeded to apply the same course of argument in the case of
Mr. Smith's daughter, who, it would seem, had consented to become his wife and
accompany him to Africa, provided her parents would give their consent. What it
cost them to give that consent, may be imagined but not described. It was given,
however, and they were united in marriage on the 19th of June, 1853. Having
received an appointment from the Foreign Mission Board at Richmond, they sailed
for Africa, from Boston, via England, on the steamer Niagara, on the 6th of July
following, and arrived at Lagos the 29th of August. The following brief extracts
from letters from him and his wife afford some idea of their feelings. The first
is from him, and is dated July 7th:

  "We are now at sea. We sailed from Boston at twelve o'clock on yesterday. We
could not but feel a little sorrowful as our native land receded from our sight.
Tears gathered in our eyes and rolled down our cheeks when we thought of those
whom we love so well, that are far away from us, and every moment now widening
the distance between us. This feeling of sorrow was only momentary. We thought
of the high and holy mission in which we are engaged. We thought of dark,
benighted Africa, and her millions who are perishing for want of the bread of
life! And as we thus thought, we could adopt as our own the sentiments of the hymn—

  ‘Yes, we hasten from you gladly,
    From the scenes we loved so well:
  Far away ye billows bear us—
     Lovely, native land, farewell.'" etc.

  The following is from Mrs. Dennard, and is dated
                                       "LAGOS, AFRICA, September 7, 1853.

  “Dear Sister:—We are now at the house of Mr. Golmer, a missionary of the
Church of England. We came to his house immediately upon landing, which was on
the 29th of last month. Your brother and myself were very unwell then, and have
been quite sick since, but are now fast improving. Indeed, I think I may safely
say my health is better than when I left home. Our friends here think we are
well prepared for the climate. I am sorry to say we may be detained here for
several weeks, owing to the hostility of one of the kings, who is trying to make
war with the Lagos people; so we can't go any farther until peace is made. We
have met with kind friends wherever we have been."

  They were detained at Lagos only a short time, however, as the following
extracts will show:

                                    "ABBEOKUTA, September 19, 1853.

  "My Dear Parents:—Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, we arrived at this place in
safety Friday. It is in the interior of Africa, and about seventy-five miles
from the coast. The population is estimated at between fifty and seventy-five
thousand. * * * It seems to be a city of rocks. There are in view of the place
where we are staying two high hills, which are almost mountains of solid
granite. The name Abbeokuta means under a rock. We do not intend to establish a
station here, but go further into the interior. * * * Fannie and I have both had
an attack of African fever. I was attacked the night before we left the ship,
and she the next day, before we reached the shore; but on landing, we were met
by kind Christian friends, Mr. and Mrs. Golmer, Episcopal missionaries at Lagos,
at whose house we staid until we recovered, which was about a week. Our sickness
was short but severe. Fannie seems to have entirely recovered from it; I am yet
feeble. * * * From Lagos to this place we had quite a romantic trip. All our
company, together with our baggage, came up the river Ogin in canoes, rowed by
the people. We were three days on the river, camping every night upon its banks.
Everything was new and strange to us. The large, tall trees, the thick
undergrowth called the bush, so thick in some places that it would seem
impossible for a rabbit to penetrate it; the rich and luxuriant vines, that hang
over the banks of the river; the monkeys, parrots and various other beautiful
birds, all so different from anything; we had ever seen before, made it
exceedingly interesting to us. * * * As far as we have seen the people, we are
much pleased with them, and entertain great hopes of being useful to them. We
have many evidences that God has prepared them for the reception of the gospel,
and that thousands of them are now ready and waiting to hear the glad tidings of
salvation. Ethiopia is stretching forth her hands unto God. Fannie and I are
happy, and it is cause of exceeding great joy to us that God, in His infinite
mercy, has chosen us to bear an humble part in the great work of regenerating
Africa, and our daily prayer is that he would qualify us for it and make us just
such missionaries as he will own and bless."

  He seems not to have remained long at Abbeokuta. It was deemed necessary that
one of the missionaries should locate at Lagos, in order that regular
communication might be kept up with the missionaries in the interior, and that
supplies might be forwarded to them. For this purpose he returned to the latter
place. How long he had been there before the death of his wife, is unknown to
the author, but it could not have been long. Intelligence of this mournful event
was communicated to her parents in the following sentences:

                                          "LAGOS, January 21st, 1854.

  "My Dear Parents:—Your dear daughter is dead. She died in this place on the
4th day of this month, after an illness of nine days. Her disease was nearer the
yellow fever than any that I know of. I suppose it was a very malignant case of
what is termed African fever. She was not very sick until the fifth day. In the
morning of that day she seemed to be clear of fever, and was so well that, about
ten or eleven o'clock, she got up and dressed. She sat down on the side of the
bed and complained of being chilly. She lay down and drew a little covering over
herself. She soon commenced shivering, and I discovered she had a severe ague. I
threw some blankets over her. She told me her hands and feet were very cold—so
cold that she could not move her fingers and toes. I felt of them, and they
were-as cold and stiff as death. I was afraid she was then dying. I applied
stimulants to them, and while I was rubbing her feet, she exclaimed, 'Oh! I
shall die! If I die now, my race will be a short one.' In a few minutes the ague
passed off, her hands and feet became warm, and was followed by a burning
fever—such a fever as is known only in this climate. She soon became delirious,
and remained so, except at short intervals, until her death. Soon in the morning
of the day on which she died, as I was sitting on the bed beside her, she opened
her eyes and looked at me with a natural smile on her countenance, and said,
'How pleasant I feel; I believe I shall not die.' I asked her if she had thought
she would die. She replied, she had thought so all the time. I asked her why she
had not told me. She answered, 'I knew it would distress you so much.'
Immediately after speaking these words, she again fell into that sleepy,
delirious state in which she had been for the last four days. About ten o'clock
I had her placed in a warm bath. This revived her very much. She seemed, for a
while, to come entirely to her senses. I sat down beside her and took hold of
her hand. She squeezed mine, and said, 'Oh! my dear, sweet, precious husband!' I
soon discovered she was again sinking. Her mind again wandered, and she remained
in that condition until she died, which mournful event occurred that evening,
about five o'clock. Her body now rests in Mr. Golmer's graveyard; her spirit is
with Christ."

  After giving expression to the most pathetic and heart-rending lamentations
over his great loss, he proceeds: "I do not regret coming here; I have never
regretted it. At one time there arose in my mind something like a thought of
regret. I think it was the third day after we arrived here. The night before we
left the steamer I was attacked with the fever, and next day, before we reached
the shore, (we had above five miles to go in a boat from, the steamer to the
shore.,) she was also attacked. And while we were sick at Mr. Golmer's, both in
the same room, she on one side and I on the other—neither of us able to assist
the other—once, when I was looking at her, I, for a moment, regretted our coming
here; but it was for a moment only. My mind was immediately directed to Calvary,
and there I beheld our blessed Saviour nailed to the cross—hanging, groaning,
bleeding and dying. My heart was melted with love, my soul was made glad, and I
rejoiced that he had called us to the high privilege of suffering for his sake.
While I live, I desire to live for Christ."

  The reader will please bear in mind that the foregoing sentiments were
expressed by Dennard only two weeks after he had closed the eyes of his youthful
and lovely wife with his own hands in "the dark land of Ham," and consigned her
precious remains to the earth. And yet he does not regret having undertaken the
mission, and still retains the desire to live for Christ. What an instance of
moral heroism! What an illustration of the power of Christian faith! He "endured
as seeing Him who is invisible."

  Mv. Dennard seems to have remained at Lagos, after the death of his wife,
until late in the following spring, when we hear of him again at Abbeokuta. Only
two or three letters were received from him at the latter place, when his death
is reported by Rev. T. J. Bowen, under date of Jane 24th. He says: "Brother
Dennard is dead. He was attacked with severe fever on the 7th instant. After
being considered entirely out of danger, he was seized again on the 17th, and
expired next day. Daring his illness, he was carefully attended to, not only by
the missionaries, but also by an excellent physician, Dr. Levine, of the Royal
Navy. He died in the faith. I may add, also, that he died at his post, like a
good soldier of the cross. I arrived here to-day, having come to look after
brother Dennard's affairs, and to employ an agent to forward supplies to Ijaye."
Thus did his sun go down at noon-day. Though he was not permitted to accomplish
all for Africa which he had purposed and desired, yet he had obeyed what he
conceived to be the call of God, "and it was accounted unto him for
righteousness." As Bowen says, "he died at his post." He fell with his armor on,
and with his face to the foe. The Master said to him, "It is enough—come up
higher." “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joys of thy
Lord!"

  In person, Mr. Dennard was rather under the medium size; his countenance was
exceedingly pleasant and benign, but indicated stability of character and
fixedness of purpose; in manners, he was affable, calm and dignified.
Altogether, he was a most interesting character, and when his death was
announced, the saints "made great lamentation over him."

  Mrs. Frances Dennard was born in Upson county, Georgia, the 24th of August,
1833, and was baptized by Rev. C. C. Willis, at Harmony church, Muscogee county,
in August, 1847, in the fourteenth year of her age. Though so young, her friends
had great confidence in her piety. Prom the time she embraced the Saviour as her
hope and salvation, she felt a strong desire to devote her life to the
missionary work, and to the day of her marriage with Mr. Dennard, she devoted
herself to the preparation of her mind and heart for this glorious undertaking.
With the chosen companion of her toils and sufferings, she sleeps in peace
beyond the ocean. Having aided in lighting the torch that is to shine brighter
and brighter upon benighted Africa, they rest from their labors in obedience to
the command of Him who sent them forth, and who will, in due time, supply their
places with others.


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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