i7 



tended throughout the neighborhood far and wide. 

 Some of his older pupils and many of his hearers 

 were converted. One of the most prominent converts 

 was a man of powerful frame and wicked life, who 

 for months had dogged his path with a loaded gun, 

 intending to shoot him down for correcting a young 

 nephew in the school room. Indeed, he had once 

 seized his horse by the bridle while crossing a creek, 

 and struck him a violent blow. Now he became the 

 teacher's warmest friend. 



In the beginning of the year 1840, he resigned his 

 position at Americus, to accept a call to become the 

 colleague of Dr. Mercer, the popular and beloved 

 pastor of the Baptist Church in Washington, Wilkes 

 County. This at the time was perhaps the wealthiest 

 and most aristocratic inland town of Georgia, having 

 three churches, a bank, a fine Female Seminary, and 

 Mercer University not far away. Here the Index, 

 still the organ of the denomination in the State, was 

 published. Dr. Mercer, who was now advanced in 

 years and in feeble health, was regarded as the most 

 noted preacher of his faith in all the South. He was 

 for several years editor of the Index, which he had 

 purchased of Dr. Brantly and transferred from Phila- 

 delphia, and he was the founder of the University 

 which bears his name. Among his hearers were 

 many wealthy planters, including Robert Tombs, 

 afterwards the famous secessionist, and Alexander H. 

 Stevens, the noted Vice President of the Southern 

 Confederacy. Here Mr. Jenks labored with success 



