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BIOGRAPHY: John R. Respess
Born: Oct. 2, 1831 (Upson County, Georgia)
Convicted of sin: c.1855
Baptized: 1856 (Ebenezer Church)
Ordained: 1858 (Elds. John Dickey, Cromwell Cleveland, Samuel Bentley)
Primary field of labor: Georgia
Churches of service: Hepzibah (Red Hill), Philippi, possibly others
Deceased: Feb. 4, 1895
Writings of note: founder and editor of The Gospel Messenger (1879-1895); author of the booklet Naaman the Syrian
I NEVER KNEW a wiser, humbler, kinder, gentler, more unselfish, more Christ-like person than dear Bro. Respess. By great and manifold afflictions, seasoned with Divine
grace, his spirit was disciplined, softened, sweetened, and purified, and thus prepared for entrance into eternal rest.
— Eld. Sylvester Hassell, as quoted in Pittman’s Biographical History
OUR DEAR Bro. Respess was truly a man of God and a powerful preacher. When in the spirit of preaching it has seemed to us that no Christian could hear him without feeling the power and sweetness of the word of God burning in his heart, His preaching was in great plainness and simplicity, and though he was learned in the schools of man, he never made any attempt at excellency of speech of man’s wisdom. We have never known a preacher who might have said more truthfully, “My speech and my preaching is not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”
— Eld. W.M. Mitchell, as quoted in Pittman’s Biographical History
AS A PUPIL in his early school days, he was bright and studious and graduated at the University of Georgia, admitted to the bar, with every promise of success in his chosen profession of law.
— Pittman’s Biographical History
HE WAS GRADUATED with distinction at Franklin College, the University of the state, in the class of several of Georgia’s noted sons. He returned home, and was soon admitted to the bar with the intention, and ability so to do, of hewing out for himself fame and fortune in the things of this life, and soon took, as a young lawyer, the front rank, with every indication of a bright future in his profession. But God willed with him otherwise; He had for him a nobler and better usefulness; one in which victory is won through suffering and sacrifice.
— Eld. W.C. Cleveland, as quoted in Pittman’s Biographical History
SOME YEARS afterwards he was deeply exercised in mind about his spiritual condition, was given a hope in the Saviour, [and] united with Ebenezer Church in Upson County, where he was ordained....
— Pittman’s Biographical History
BUT IN SO CALLING him to a different field of labor, it was at no expense of the great natural abilities with which He had already endowed him; in fact, through the Spirit’s power they were strengthened, utilized, and constantly grew, thereby making his life
more and more useful to the children of men, and adding an additional pillar in the great arena of faith. Many a man possessed of his natural and spiritual abilities, would soon have forgotten his high calling, and become vain and proud, especially when added
to these gifts, was the love and admiration of all who knew him.
— Eld. W.C. Cleveland, as quoted in Pittman’s Biographical History
IN HIS CONDUCT and conversation he seemed to breathe forth the very spirit of Jesus. He wished that every other preacher in the world were a greater preacher than himself, and every other man a better man. He was willing to be trampled on by the whole church if thereby the name of Christ could be exalted. If his enemies spoke evil of him, he would say, “Perhaps it is so, perhaps it is so,” —and he would speak well of them. If they deeply injured and wronged him, he would astonish me by ascribing to them the most charitable motives.
— Eld. Sylvester Hassell, as quoted in Pittman’s Biographical History |
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