On March 14, 1773 the Baptist Church in Charleston, S.C. ordained Edmund Botsford, who then became an evangelist and missionary on behalf of that church. During 1773 and 1774 his labors resulted in people’s salvation and many were baptized throughout South Carolina. On one occasion he wrote: “In the month of August, 1773, I rode 650 miles (by horse), preached forty-two sermons, baptized twenty-one persons, and administered the Lord’s Supper twice. Indeed, I traveled so much this year that some used to call me the ‘flying preacher.'”
In his journal he wrote that on this day, July 10, 1773, he arrived at Stephen’s Creek, and clearly declared the Gospel. Six days later, “Several candidates came forward for baptism; but one, Mrs. Clecker, ‘did not know that her husband would permit her to be baptized.’ ‘Is he present in the congregation?’ asked Mr. Botsford. ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘Mr. Clecker, please come to the table.” Mr. Clecker came forward, and proved to be a little German.’ ‘I have reason to hope, Mr. Clecker, that your wife is a believer in Christ, and she desires to be baptized by immersion, but not without your consent. Have you any objection to make, sir?’ ‘No. No! Got forpit I should hinter my vife! She was one goot vife.’ Nevertheless, the little man was enraged at being thus summoned and publicly interrogated: and while the preparations were going on, he vented his wrath privately in swearing and abusing Mr. Botsford. ‘Vat! Ax me pefore all de peeble if he might tip my wife!’ Of this, however, Mr. Botsford was ignorant. Coming up from the water, after the administration of baptism was all over, and passing through an orchard, he saw the little German, by himself, and leaning against a tree, apparently in trouble. ‘Mr. Clecker, what is the matter?’ asked Mr. Botsford. ‘O, sir, I shall go to de tivel, and my vife to hevin. I am a boor lost sinner. I can’t be forgifen. I fear de ground will open and let me down to de hell, for I cursed and svore you vas good for notting. Lord, have mercy on me!'”
Later Brother Botsford wrote that the man found peace in trusting Christ and that the preacher had the satisfaction of baptizing him in September of 1773.