The Nashville Banner of January 18 contains a dispatch from Decherd, Tenn., reporting that Rev. J. L. Payne died very suddenly at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Miller. He had been for nearly forty years pastor of the Mount Reserve Cumberland Presbyterian church, and was held in high esteem as an earnest preacher and faithful pastor.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, January 26, 1905, page 114]

PAYNE.--Rev. J. L. Payne was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, July 3, 1826. He professed religion at Cane Creek, in Lincoln county, Tenn., September, 1846, under the pastoral care of Rev. Albert Gipson, and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church at the same time and place. Afterward he was received as a candidate for the ministry in Red River Presbytery, Cherokee county, Kentucky. (incorrect information - trying to research this). In 1849 he was licensed to preach by the same presbytery, Rev. Samuel Harris officiating. Soon coming back to Tennessee, Brother Payne joined Elk Presbytery at Beech Grove and was ordained to the full work of the ministry in 1850 at old Lebanon, in Bedford county. Rev. W. J. Garrett preached the ordination sermon, and Rev. Willis Burgess gave the charge. From the time he was licensed and for some years after he was ordained he rode long journeys across the country, preaching as a missionary, holding great revivals and seeing many sinners converted. On July 2, 1857, Brother Payne was married to Miss Georgie A. Davis, of Logan county, Kentucky, and this happy relation continued for fifty-two years, Sister Payne being called to rest one and one-half years before he was. To them were given four children, three of whom are still living, viz., Mrs. Miller, of Winchester, Tenn.; Mrs. Hampton, of Meridianville Ala.; and Mrs. W. F. Hereford, of Wakayama, Japan, the latter having married Rev. W. F. Hereford and gone to Japan as the special missionary of Elk Presbytery three years ago. In giving up his youngest child to go to Japan, Brother Payne submitted with a cheerfulness that revealed his faith in God and his love for the cause of his Lord. During all the days of preparation for her long journey, he gave words of comfort and good cheer, He said: "Heaven is just as near to Japan as it is to America;" and, "Daughter, if the Lord has called you to go, I would not try to keep you from going." As a man, Brother Payne was one of the best ever known in this country. He always had a good word and a glad smile for every one. As a minister of the gospel he was successful in the work of his Lord, believing that every sermon preached was good seed sown in some life, and would some time bear fruit to the honor and glory of God. As a worker in revival meetings, he was unexcelled. He was ever conscious of a work of grace in his own life, and was able to tell others the way. He organized Mr. Reserve church, in Elk Presbytery, and remained its faithful pastor for more than forty years. He was the stated clerk of Elk Presbytery for many years, and was a very efficient one until his hand was too feeble to keep the records. Thus he has "fought a good fight and kept the faith," and therefore he is "crowned with righteousness" in glory.--J. B. Eshman, Winchester, Tenn.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, March 23, 1905, pages 380-381]

Name: Payne, J. L.
Occupation: retired by age or infirmity
Presbytery: Elk
Place of Residence: Winchester, Tenn.
Date: Jan. 17, 1905
Age: 78

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1905, page 148a]