Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-18
A New Epoch in MERGERS Life
BY John T. BOIFEUILLET

ministration of President Rufus w. Weaver
whose exalted character, true dignity and H.
gaging personality, linked with superior
mental endowments, varied scholarship,
splendid disciplinary powers, clearness Of
Judgment broad vision and administrative
abilities of the highest degree. have won the
admiration and esteem of people generally
and the affection and respect of students
particularly.
The event in question was he celebration,
in the city of Macon where the University is
located, of the ninetieth anniversary OF the
founding of this glorious Baptist institution
brilliant feature of the occasion was ban
quet served in the university's new spacious
and handsome dining hall named i'll honor
Of Daniel Marshall, who was the first ordain-
ed Baptist preacher 10 enter Georgia.
One of the Founders
He is historically known one of the
founders of the Baptist denomination in this
state. On January l, 1771, one hundred and
fifty-two years ago, >When he siXty-five
ysars old, he moved from Horse Creek, S. c.
fifteen miles north of Augusta, and settled
with his family on Kiokee Creek, in what is
now Columbia county, Georgia. Prior to
his removal from South Carolina where he
had established two churches, this jealous
devoted man of God "had made frequent
evangelistic tours into Georgia, preaching
with remarkable zeal and fervor in houses
and groves"
l learn from historical pages compiled for
the Christian Index that Rev. Daniel
Marshall from his headquarters in Kiokee
went forth in all directions, preaching the
gospel with great power, and leading many to
Jesus. By uniting those whom he had bap-
tized in the neighbOrhoOd, and other Baptists
who lived on both sides of the Savannah
river he formed and organized the Kiokee
church, in the spring OF 1772; and this was
the first Baptist church ever constituted
within the bounds of Georgia. E. 1t was
built where now stands the town of Appling
the countryside of Columbia. OF this church
Marshall became the pastor, md COntin-
ued until November ?, 1884, when he expir-
ed, in the seventy-eighth years of his age
Beautiful Dying Words
Z sure that -2aptists and thousands
who are not of that denomination, will read
with interest the following last spoken words
of this holy mane as they were recorded by
his son. Rev. Abraham Marshall, in the pres
.ence of several grieving relatives and friends
who were assembled in tears around the
dying couch:
Dear brethren and sisters, I am just
gone. This night l shall probably expire;
but l have nothing o fear. l have fought
the good fight; l have finished my course;
l have kept the faith, and hencefOrth there is
laid up for crown Of Righteousness. God
has shown me that he is my God, ant that
am His son, and that eternal weight of
glory is mine"
1t is further related that when Daniel
Marshall had breathed these parting words,
he turned to the weeping woman who had
been his solace and joy throughout many
long years of a beautiful life of devotion and
love, and said to her. GO on, my dear
wife, to serve the LORD. Hold out to the end.
Eternal glory is before u.s."
After a silence of a few moments, he re-
marked to his son: my breath is almost
gone. I have been praying that [ may go
home tonight | had great happiness in our
worship this morning, particularly in sing
ing, which will make : part OF my exercise in
blessed eternity" And then, the blue
portals of heaven opened, and his tranquil
soul passed into the infinite realm of sur
passing glory
Memory Watches the Spot
His sacred dust repCses near the court
house in Appling, Columbia county. In the
unique and highly interesting Gazetteer of i
Georgia, by Rev. Adiel Sherwood, d. D., who
was one of the inspired founders of Mercer
university, are found t. csc words relative to
Marshalls grave: "MemOry watches the spot,
but no false marble utters untruths con-
corning this distinguished herald of saliva
ton. He sleeps neither forgotten nor 'un-
sung: for every child in the neighborhOod
can lead you to Daniel Marshall grave"
Marshall did not become converted to the
Baptist faith until he forty-eight years
old. He was born of Presbyterian parents at
Windsor, Connecticut, in 1906. The Mohawk
Indians were the first recipients Of his noble
efforts at Outstanding the rtathen. Later,
he removed to Pennsylvania, and then to Win
chester, Va, still pursuing his evangeistic
work and it at this latter place that he
was immersed in Baptist waters Having
been licensed to preach Baptist principles, he
removed to North Carolina and there estab
lished a church. Next, he pitched his tent in
South Carolina, and subsequently settled in
Georgia, as l have already stated
Arrested While Praying
In the "History of the Baptist DenOmina-
ton in Georgia. compiled for the Christian
Index, l find the following interesting
ctal of the arrest of Daniel Marshall, on
Georgia soil:
1--WE will gaze upon him as he conducts
religious service The scene is in sylvan
grove, and Daniel Marshall is on knees MAX
ing the opening prayer. While he beseeches
the Throne of Grace, hand is laid on his
shoulder, and he hears a voice say: You
are my prisoner.
Rising, the sedate, arnest-minded man of
! God, whose sober mien and silvery locks in
dictate the siXty-five years which have passed
since his birth. finds himself confronted by
officer Of the law He is astonished at
i being arrested, under such circumstances,
for preaching in the Parish Of St PAUL for,
i'll so doing, he has violated the Legislative
enactment of 1853, which established re
Ngous worship in the colony according to
/ the rites and ceremonies of the Church OF
England Rev Abraham Marshall, in his
sketch of his father, published in the Analyt-
/ zeal Repository, 1902, says that the arrest
/ &c preacher twas made to give security for
! his appearance in Augusta On the following
Monday, to answer the violation of the law
adding: Accordingly, he stood trial and
after his meekneS8 and patience were Suffi-
GENTLY exercised, he was ordered to come, as
/ a preacher, no more into Georgia. The re-
ply of Daniel Marshall similar to that
! Of the Apostles under similar circumstances,
I Whether 1T be right to obey God or maj'.
judge ye;' and, consistently with this just
! and Spirit ed replication, he pursued his