ORDINATION,
Of Henry Francis, a man of color, whose freedom was recently purchased of Mrs. Hammond, in consideration of his character, and minifterial gifts, by a number of the gentlemen of Savannah.ON the 23d of May, 1802, the African Baptift Church, in this city, agreeably to a previous appointment, met, fafting, at their place of worfhip
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when the ordination fermon was delivered by Jeffe Peter, of Augufta, from, Mark 16 and 15, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but be that believeth not shall be damned.From this appropriate paffage, J. Peter, after a few fuitable introductory obfervations, very properly called the attention of his crowded auditory to the divine perfon who ufed the explicit, and authoritative language in the text, as poffeffed of all power in heaven, and on earth, and the only head, and law-giver in the church. The fecond clafs of remarks fhewed that the perfons to whom this commiffion was given, though plain unlettered men, were acquainted with JESUS CHRIST, and, by a thorough work of grace on their hearts, immovably attached to his caufe.
Thirdly, the duties of thefe, and all ordinary minifters, were enlarged on, as comprehended in preaching the Gofpel to EVERY CREATURE, baptizing profeffed believers, and teaching them to obferve ALL THINGS enjoined on them in their different places, and relations, as fubjects of the fpiritual and glorious kingdom of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. The difcourfe concluded with an animated addrefs to the hopes and fears of the congregation, from thofe too little regarded, though pleafing, and awful truths, "HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED, SHALL BE SAVED; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED."
H. Francis then underwent a public examination refpecting his faith in the leading doctrines of chriftianity — his call to the facred miniftry — and ideas of church government. Giving entire
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fatiffaction on thefe important points, he kneeled down, when the ordination prayer, with impofition of hands, was made by Andrew Bryant. The ordained minifters prefent, then gave the right hand of fellowfhip to Mr. Francis, who was forthwith prefented with a Bible, and a folemn charge to faithfulnefs, by Mr. Holcombe.The CONCLUDING HYMN. [From Henry Holcomb, editor, Georgia Analytical Repository, May-June, Vol 1, 1802, p. 20-22; via Internet Archive. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]THUS saith the LORD the Savior dear,
Unto his servants whom be sends;
Go preach my Gofpel far and near,
Unto the world’s remotest ends.Go forth ye herald's in my name,
Sweetly the Gofpel trumpet sound;
The glorious jubilee proclaim,
Where'er the HUMAN RACE is found.Convince a world of sinners, blind,
And show them where their danger lies;
The broken hearted careful bind,
And wipe the tears from weeping eyes.Be wise as serpents where you go,
Yet harmless as the peaceful dove;
And let your whole deportment show,
That you're commissioned from above.And as you freely have received,
E’en so to others freely give;
So shall your message be believed,
And many dying sinners live.DOXOLOGY.
Praise GOD, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye beavenly host;
Praise FATHER, SON and HOLY GHOST.
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