Submitted by
JOHN JAMES.
Author: J. H. Campbell
The subject of this brief notice was endowed with natural gifts of a high order, and was during his short career one of the most successful country preachers in the State. He was born in Rockingham county, North Carolina, September 9th, 1809, and died October 9th, 1847, being thirty-eight years old. His father, Martin James, was a soldier in the war of 1812, was taken prisoner, and died at Fort Johnson. His mother's maiden name was Martha Woodall. She died in 1869, in the ninetieth year of her age.
John James professed conversion at the age of twenty-four, and was baptized by Rev. Cyrus White at Teman church, Henry county, Georgia. He was subsequently ordained to the gospel ministry at said church in 1835, by what presbytery the author is not informed. Though his ministry was thus commenced under those who were known as Whiteites, (and who were deemed as rather Arminian in sentiment,) he subsequently connected himself with the Central Association, in which body he was highly esteemed and eminently useful.
He was engaged in the ministry only about twelve years, yet he baptized about sixteen hundred persons. His labors were confined mostly to the counties of Jasper, Butts, Henry, Newton and Campbell. His burning zeal impelled him forward day and night, summer and winter. His first sermon was preached under a bush-arbor in Gwinnett county, and from that day until he ceased from his labors was his voice heard in the highways and hedges, inviting and urging the poor and needy to come to the gospel feast. It was by no means an uncommon thing with him to work hard on his farm all day, and, leaving his horse to rest, to walk from three to four miles and preach to his neighbors at night, after which he would return home, and resume his work in the morning. Of course no constitution could bear this tax very long, and so he fell, in the midst of his days, the victim of his consuming zeal and of the neglect (if not the cupidity,) of the people to whom he preached. The author is informed by one who had a right to know, that, "as a general thing, seventy-five dollars per annum was about the amount of salary he received." His last sermon was preached at Enon church, Jasper county, from Acts xx. 32: "And now, brethren, I commend you to God," etc.
In October, 1830, he was married to Miss Nancy Strickland, daughter of Colonel Solomon Strickland, of Henry county, who proved herself eminently qualified for the position she was called to occupy as a preacher's wife, and as the mother of six orphan children, which were left upon her hands by his death. With some assistance from the Central Association, which she received for several consecutive years, she succeeded in comfortably maintaining and educating her children, who all proved themselves worthy of the excellent parentage from which they descended, being highly deserving citizens.
Mr. James was rather above the ordinary height, of an open, benignant countenance, possessed a voice of great compass and power, a fluent and ready delivery, and was, taken altogether, a most fascinating speaker and a powerful preacher.
Additional Comments:
From:GEORGIA BAPTISTS: HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL BY
J. H. CAMPBELL,
PERRY, GEORGIA.MACON, GA.: J. W. BURKE & COMPANY. 1874.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by J. H. CAMPBELL,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
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