Elder Martin SHARP, son of Meredith and Elizabeth SHARP, was born November 1, 1823, in Grainger county, Tennessee. In his second year his parents removed to Roane county, while society was in its rough, confused state, and the people were without present opportunities and advantages. It will not be thought singular if, midst such surroundings, one of the young SHARP'S temperament was found in the lead of the funloving, rowdying, drinking and frolicking, though honest, pioneer boys; it is certain that such was the fact; but in 1842, under the ministry of Elder Geo. LUTTRELL, God called him by grace, and revealed in him his son Jesus Christ. This change was too patent to all to pass unnoticed, as it was manifest in all of his conduct and conversation. In September 1842, he joined the Baptist church of Christ, in session the third Saturday, at Pleasant Grove meeting house, and was baptized by Elder L.B. JOHNSON. Brother SHARP soon developed rare gifts, singing, public prayer and exhortation; so that he was soon recognized by the Church as a rising leader in Israel, having at once reached the front in usefulness and in the confidence of the brotherhood which maintained and increased to the end of forty years of Church membership. He was properly called a sweet singer in Israel, and in his earnest exhortations, like our bold eagle, careened in the midst of the tempest, and in impassioned native eloquence rent the veil covering the sinner's heart, then pointing him to the cross of Christ as the only refuge of the soul burdened by sin. He was chosen Clerk of the Church, which service he performed acceptably for about ten years. He was lincensed to preach about 1856. He removed to Meigs county in 1865, and united with the Baptist Church at Pisgah, and by it was called to ordination, and came under imposition of the hands of a presbytery composed of Elders A.D. MORRISON and J.B. McCALLON. He was soon called to the pastorate of Pisgah Church. In 1869 he returned to Paint Rock Valley, and was chosen pastor of his mother Church, which he filled acceptably to the Church and creditaby to himself, except and interval of two years, to the end of his life. He was chosen Clerk of the Association in 1876, which was continued till his death: which sad event transpired on Friday, June 6, 1884, 10 o'clock, P.M. The final illness was short, but attended with great sufferings. The chain is broken, the link is not lost--only out of our reach for the present. He "rests from his labors, by which he obtained a good report of them without." In his doctrine he proclaimed salvation by grace, giving all of the glory to God. A Baptist in the strict sense, yet charity for all. He is gone, to Grainger no nobler son was born; to Roane, no more patriotic son was given; Paint Rock never had a more devoted member; the Association, no more acceptable minister. A considerate husband, an indulgent and exemplary father. Brethen, be ye also ready, the summons will soon come