Carter, Rev. James, was one of the most earnest-minded, zealous, pious, and useful of all the ministers who have aided in building up the Baptist cause in Georgia.

Baptist Church History

10/18/23 3h  · Daily Baptist Encyclopedia Post by Jim Curran

Carter, Rev. James, was one of the most earn- est-minded, zealous, pious, and useful of all the ministers who have aided in building up the Baptist cause in Georgia. He was born near Powelton, Hancock County, in 1797, and, after a laborious life, died at Indian Springs, Butts County, Aug. 25, 1859. His parents were Virginians, who emigrated to Georgia, and he was the youngest child.: Hopefully converted at an early age, he was baptized by Jesse Mercer; was licensed at twenty years of age, and began to preach in Butts County, where he had settled about 1823. He was instrumental, soon after being licensed, in constituting Macedonia church in Butts County, of which he continued pastor thirty years, residing all the while upon a farm which belonged to him. Besides Macedonia, Mr. Carter was the pastor of the churches at Holly Grove, Indian Springs, and other places; but, while his labors were confined’ mostly to Butts and con- tiguous counties, he frequently made extensive preaching tours to other parts of the State, and, owing to his strong constitution «and vigorous health, performed an immense amount of labor. Dr. J. H. Campbell, in his ‘ Georgia Baptists,” says, ‘‘ It is doubtful whether any of our ministers ever preached more, or did more good by preaching, than James Carter.’’ During his long pastorate of the Macedonia church he received into it, by bap- tism at his own hands, 1000 members; and he bap- tized, in addition, not less than 1000 others, accord- ing to his own statement. His zeal was as ardent as that of Paul, and his doctrinal sentiments were as strongly Calvinistic as those of Paul himself. He was a powerful preacher, and some of his ap- peals to sinners were exceedingly impressive and convincing. Among his brethren he was regarded as a pious, devout, sound, and zealous preacher of a high order, whose successful labors won for him universal respect. For years he was moderator of the Flint River Association, which, at its session following his death, listened to a funeral discourse in his honor by Rey. J. H. Campbell. It was at the house of James Carter that Jesse Mercer died. They were old and attached friends, and when Jesse Mercer was at Indian Springs for his health in 1841, he visited Mr. Carter, and was taken worse and expired, amid the most careful and loving attentions. From the Baptist Encyclopedia by William Cathcart