Johnston, John Macon
3/19/1912
Jan. 20, 1825 - March 19, 1912 |
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| The subject of this sketch was born in Alabama January 20, 1825; and died at the home of his granddaughter, Mrs. Zuella Johnston, Alexandria, La., March 19, 1912. His parents were Charles and Elizabeth Macon Johnston. They moved from North Carolina to Alabama in 1818. He was the youngest of the family. The teachings of pious parents impressed his young mind, and he recalled with pleasure the visits of Ebenezer Hearn and Granberry Garrett and their talks around his father's fireside. Thus was implanted in his young mind the truth that later developed into the strong spiritual character of his ministry and manhood. He united with the Church in 1837. He was licensed to preach in 1860; was admitted into the Alabama Conference in 1864, where he served ten years. In 1875 he was transferred to the Louisiana Conference, and was a successful pastor for about twenty years. Even after he was forced to rest, he was ever ready to preach or labor to the limit of his strength. Brother Johnston was a man of deep convictions, strong will, and indomitable courage. His son, Dr. Julius Johnston, died of yellow fever in 1898, and in the absence of other preachers he conducted the funeral service over that boy whom he loved almost to idolatry. In 1850 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Moore, a most happy union. She died several years ago, and there seemed to fall over her husband a shadow that never lifted. His mind seemed to sympathize and suffer with the failing body. He had a fall on April 11, 1911, and never walked afterwards. He was almost continually in bed for eleven months till death brought release to the weary sufferer and his freed spirit went to join the loved ones in the "land where there is no death." Brother Johnston preached the funeral sermon of the father of this writer in 1882, having traveled thirty miles to do so; and after these years, in loving appreciation of that service and of his useful life, and by his own request made years ago, this tribute has been written to his memory. How appropriate here are the words of the seer of Patmos, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord; for they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them!" |
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| Source: Journal Louisiana Conference Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1912, pages 67-68, J. D. Harper. | |
