A Tribute to Elder John Brewer
"For we must needs die," is the language of Holy Writ, and we see the old and middle aged, as well as the prattling babe, fall a victim to the resistless hand of death. Hence we clearly see how God works and none can hinder.In deep unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.
Death entered the family circle and removed from its midst the subject of our notice, our neighbor, friend, and beloved brother, Elder John Brewer. The deceased leaves a wife and seven children, besides other relatives to mourn their loss. They have our deep sympathy in their bereavement, and we sincerely hope God may over-rule it all to their good and His own glory, knowing that He doeth all things well. Let us rejoice in a knowledge of his unbounded sovereign power over all things - working everywhere in the accomplishments of the one grand design for which the worlds were made.
Dear Christian friends and kind reader, you and I will soon be called from the walks of men to try the realities of an unknown world to us. Then with the poet we say:
While pity prompts the rising sigh,
O, may this truth impressed,
With awful power "we, too, must die"
Sink deep in every breast.
In the death of our dear brother, the community has lost a kind neighbor and a good citizen, the church a true and faithful member, who at all times filled his seat. He loved and rejoiced in the glorious doctrine of salvation by grace; revolting at the idea of the 'absolute and unlimited predestination of all things whatsoever come to pass, both good and evil'; believing that such doctrine was contrary to inspiration and detrimental to the cause of our adorable Lord.
Will say to Sister Brewer and children, for your comfort and consolation, that Brother Brewer is gone but not forgotten. He has only been called by an angel of death from the cares and turmoils of time, to live with God and loved ones in the celestial city above, where there will be no sorrow nor death; but peace and pleasure at God's right hand forevermore. Then let us sing with the poet:
Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep,
From which none ever wake to weep;
A calm and undisturbed repose,
Unbroken by the last of foes.
Then let the last loud trumpet sound,
And bid our kindred rise,
Awake ye nations under ground,
Ye saints ascend the skies.
Dear child of God, I trust this will be the happy lot of us all, to meet on the banks of sweet deliverance there to mingle our voices in everlasting praise to the matchless name of God, saying, "Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."
Brother Brewer was born in Anson, N. C., September 16, 1816; remained there till 1856, when he went to Tishimingo county, Miss., and in 1864 moved to Henderson county, Tenn., and when Chester county was formed (being in the bounds) became a citizen of that county, and there lived until death. He professed a hope in Christ in early life; joined the Primitive Baptist Church in September 1868, when the Predestinarian Association was held with the church at Turman's Creek, and was baptized by Elder James R. Reid into the fellowship of Clark's Creek Church. Was ordained to the ministry in 1881, by a presbytery consisting of Elders J. W. Cavenar and -- Marbery.
Brother Brewer breathed his last at his home on the morning of July 28, 1898, surrounded by his weeping wife and children. The writer visited him in his sickness and heard him talk of sweet Jesus and his glorious cause, who had followed him all the days of his life, and was his stay and Comforter in death. He talked to his daughter, Mrs. Mary Harris, of hearing songs, etc. Then take courage, dear weeping ones, for Brother Brewer is today singing, and will sing those beautiful songs in that land of rest of pure delight where saints immortal dwell.
J. M. Malone,
Mifflin, Tenn.
- from the Primitive Baptist.
