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- In the graveyard of the Baptist church at Elberton, Georgia, stands an Italian marble tombstone, on which a hand is carved with the index finger pointing heavenward. It is the monument in memory of Rev. ASA CHANDLER, erected by the ladies of Falling Creek church, with the aid of contributions from the other churches of the Sarepta Association. Thus was manifested the respect and esteem in which Mr. Chandler was held, by those among whom he had lived and labored as a Christian minister for nearly forty years. Indeed, he was a man who had a firm, fast hold on the confidence and love of those who best knew him ; for to great meekness and self-denying zeal, he united a most exemplary Christian walk in life. In all earthly social relations, whether as friend, pastor, father or husband, he never allowed his sympathies, or any views of policy, to control his judgment in the discharge of duty; but went straight forward, with the utmost faithfulness, in the line of his conscientious convictions.
It is said of him that in knowledge of the Bible and in the true spirit of its teachings, he was not one whit behind the foremost preachers of Georgia; yet, at the age of twenty-one, when he had accepted the pastorate of the Van's Creek church, in Elbert county, that church, to supply his lack of education, gave him one year's instruction under Mr. Willis Jones, a fine classical teacher. In the end he obtained a splendid English education, and a less perfect one in the dead languages. But the result, in regard to Mr. Jones, was remarkable: at that time he was an infidel; but afterwards he became a convert, and studied theology under the very man he had instructed?Rev. Asa Chandler.
Of the Scriptures, Mr. Chandler was an unintermitting student, occupying all his time not engrossed by pastoral labors, in studying God's word, and the best expository and theological authors. He was never at a loss for an appropriate Scripture quotation, to prove a doctrine or expose an error. As a preacher he was very popular Once, after a long and severe spell of fever, he became impotent in his feet and unable to stand; yet, in this condition, he made a preaching tour, and was welcomed joyously everywhere by crowds who assembled to hear him preach in a sitting posture.
He laid no claim to eloquence, as an orator, but he was one of the most impressive of preachers, and at times thrilling passages fell from his lips. Self distrust and diffidence were prominent traits in his character, and he often fell short of a full measure of success because of these qualities; but when the truth was clear and the path of duty plain before him, he was as bold as a lion. Once he preached a sermon which he supposed was an utter failure, and he imagined that he had, by such a failure, destroyed the interest of the protracted meeting then in progress. The fact was, that six persons afterwards joined the church, who professed to have been convicted or converted under that sermon.
Rev. Asa Chandler was born on the 22d of August, 1808, in Franklin county, Georgia. He made a public profession of faith in Christ in his 14th year, and joined the Poplar Spring church, in his native county. He was ordained in his 21st year, and in 1834 accepted the pastorate of the Van's Creek church, in Elbert county, and moved to Ruckersville. He served that church as pastor for the long period of thirty-seven years, and was its pastor when he died. Other churches also enjoyed the benefit of his ministerial services, especially the Falling Creek church, of which he was pastor for more than twenty years. The Sarepta Association, by repeatedly electing him its Moderator, manifested a just appreciation of his character and efficiency. On all questions of missions, pastoral support and systematic benevolence, he was far in advance of his immediate coadjutors, maintaining t at every member should support church enterprises according as God had prospered him, and that delinquents in these matters should be held amenable to discipline. In truth, Mr. Chandler, as a preacher and as a Christian, stood very high among his brethren. His modesty was great, for, though wielding a good influence in our public assemblies, he rarely spoke; but when he did, his pleasant manner and voice, and his good sense and pious sincerity always gained him a most respectful hearing.
Above the medium size, he had blue eyes, an open, cheerful countenance, and a very pleasant smile. In manners he was gentle, affable and Christian-like, and in disposition he was kind, affectionate, mild and retiring. He was married three ho his last wife and seven children- four sons and three daughters- surviving him.
He died June 6th, 1874, in his 66th year. His life was a success, and his death the end of a long and arduous Christian career. The words used as the text of the sermon preached at his funeral may be considered a fitting epitaph for him: "He was a good man."
W. N. CHAUDOIN.
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