PETERS, James (d. 1874)

JAMES PETERS – 1798 – 1874

JAMES PETERS  was born Aug. 25, 1798, in Anderson County, East Tenn. and  died at his home in Morgan County, Tenn.,  Feb. 8, 1874.  He was a son of Tobias Peters, a local preacher at whose house many of the pioneer preachers of Methodism lodged and preached.

He was happily married in his twenty-fourth year to Rachel McCart, by whom was born to him six sons and seven daughters- all of whom lived to be grown and became members of the Methodist Church.  Two of his sons are traveling preachers—the writer of the Louisville, Ky., Conference, and Adam Clark Peters of the Holston Conference of the M. E. church.  Three of his nephews are Methodist Ministers in Missouri— one, the Rev. T.M. Cobb, is stationed at Lexington, Missouri, the other two are local, one is a delegate elect to the ensuing General Conference.  These are sons of his sister Polly Cobb.  I mention these facts to show how Methodistic the family is.  I know of but one of all my father’s relatives who is not a Methodist.

He was a man of very deep piety; he was an exhorter and class leader for more than fifty years, and was one of the most able men in prayer I have ever heard.  He kept up family prayer from the time he became a house-keeper till his death.  His house was a preaching place for thirty years.  He had fed thousands of worshipers.  As a husband he filled the divine law; as a father he was faithful and king; as a Christian he believed God and walked uprightly.  He was a man of very fine natural mind, and while his education was limited he was a delightful reader and read much.

A short time before he died he called the writer’s name many times and that of his youngest son–he wished much to see his preacher sons, before he died.  He was fond of poetry and music; and just before he died he repeated distinctly these lines:
” Bright scenes of Glory strike my sense,
And all my passions capture;
Eternal beauties ‘round me shine,
Infusing warmest rapture.
I dive in oceans, deep and full,
That swell in waves of Glory;
I feel my Savior in my soul,
And groan to tell my story.”

He leaves his beloved Rachel waiting by the shore.  She is looking for the angels.  Farewell Father.  I thank God for giving me such a father.    We shall meet again.