Unknown County GaArchives Church Records.....Georgia Baptists Increase Copyright Date 1874
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INCREASE OF THE DENOMINATION.

  Soon after the close of the revolutionary war, the Baptist ministers began to
extend their labors into the regions around them, which were rapidly settling
up. The Lord gave them great success, so that the increase of the denomination
has been almost unparalleled. In general, this increase has been gradual. Yet,
as in other countries, the people of God in Georgia have experienced seasons of
refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The first great and general revival of
which we have any account remaining, was as early as 1802, during which about
seven hundred were baptized in the Georgia Association. The heralds of the cross
who reaped this harvest were doubtless extraordinary men. They preached because
a stern necessity was upon them. They could not live contentedly without warning
sinners to flee from the wrath to come. The idea of gain did not seem to enter
their minds—the good of souls impelled them to labor. In most cases, the infant
churches (recently sprung up in what was then a wilderness) were unable to do
anything towards the support of the ministry. These zealous servants of the Lord
supported themselves by their own labor—and yet went everywhere preaching the
word. They delivered their message in private dwellings, in log meeting-houses,
or under the forest trees, as God gave them opportunity. But wherever they went,
the Lord went with them, and multitudes were born into Zion.

  In 1812-'13, a great work was carried on by the Holy Spirit. Over twelve
hundred were baptized in the Sarepta Association. Many dated their awakenings
from the shocks of earthquakes felt in 1812. The Lord's ways are not as our ways.

  The late war with Great Britain had an unhappy influence on the prosperity of
our churches. With this painful subject the public mind was engrossed; and
though a blessed work of grace was experienced along the seaboard in 1822-'23,
yet no general refreshing was experienced until 1827, when the most remarkable
and memorable revival broke out in Eatonton, that has ever blessed the churches
in this State. Upwards of fourteen thousand were brought in during its progress.
In only three associations, (the Georgia, Ocmulgee and Flint river,) over five
thousand were reported in 1828 as having been baptized during the associational
year. An impulse was then received by the denomination which has not been, and
perhaps will never be, lost. The cause has been onward and upward—not only
onward in the increase of its members, but upward in their improvement in every
good work, in education, missions, etc.

   The following estimates, taken from authentic sources, will give some idea of
the rapid increase of the denomination. In 1825 there were ten associations, two
hundred and sixty churches, one hundred and thirty-three ordained and licensed
preachers, and eighteen thousand four hundred and eighty-four members. In 1829,
there were three hundred and fifty-six churches, sixty-six of which were
constituted in the two latter years, about two hundred ministers, and
twenty-eight thousand two hundred and sixty-eight communicants. In 1835, there
were twenty-one associations, five hundred and eighty-three churches, two
hundred and ninety-eight ministers, and forty-one thousand eight hundred and ten
members. And now in 1845, there are forty-six associations, four hundred and
sixty-four ministers, nine hundred and seventy-one churches, and fifty-eight
thousand three hundred and eighty-eight communicants. As will be seen, when we
come to notice the associations separately, there are some churches belonging to
several of these bodies in the adjoining States. But it is believed the above
estimates give as correct an idea of the real strength of the Baptists in
Georgia as could be expected on such a subject. In 1860 there were eighty-six
thousand nine hundred and seventy-eight members, and in 1873 about one hundred
and sixty thousand members.* The denomination is stronger in Georgia by twenty
thousand, than in any other State in the Union, and stronger by twenty-five
thousand than all other denominations in this State combined.

*In thirty years the denomination has nearly trebled in numbers.



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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