James L Davis (1865)

Born Jan 1865 in Tennessee, USA

Husband of Maude Jane (Landers) Davis — married 5 Apr 1887 in Shellmound, Marion, Tennessee, USA

Descendants

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Biography

Preacher listed in Ligon's Portraiture of preachers. Wrote autobiography entitled The Mountain Preacher about some of the experience, told in the language of the people among whom he so successfully labored. Published by F. L. Rowe, Cincinnati, Ohio Feb. 1, 1909, 75 pages.

The 1900 Federal Census has James living in Martins Springs, Whitley, KY. He married Martha J. Sanders in 1887, April 5, 1887 at Shellmound, TN.

GREETINGS FROM THE GOLDEN GATE. BY T. B. LARIMORE.

A MARVELOUS MAN. J. L. Davis, "mountain preacher" of Kentucky and Tennessee, a product of Chattanooga, Tenn., much of whose early life was spent in Sequatchie Valley, and his worthy wife were recently our guests a few days, during which brief period of pleasure to us he preached twice, delivering each time a discourse long to be remembered. Brother Davis is a well-educated man-educated in the Bible. His scholastic education, received in early life, consisted of a course in Webster's celebrated blue-backed speller, as far as to "horseback," which heads a column found on the fiftieth page in my copy, presumably in all of the many millions of copies of that book in which millions and millions and millions of young hopefuls have started on their way to real or imaginary earthly glory and greatness, and some to heavenly glory, honor, immortality- eternal life-learning to read in the little speller, thus becoming able to read the Bible, the real Book of life.

Hurrah for Webster's blue-backed speller! The Bible has no rival, and probably the blue-backed book in which Brother Davis took his literary course as far as II horseback" comes next. Possibly I may learn how many copies of that little book have been published. If so, I shall certainly tell you at least all you need to know about it. The Bible is still the world's best seller, according to statistics that seem to be reliable; but the little old speller is nearly out of "the race, so far as selling is concerned. I still doubt, however, whether the world has ever known a better uninspired book--one that has been more helpful. Brother Davis is fearless, positive, and strong; but I have never heard him say an offensive or unkind thing, I think. He seems to be averse to propagating his own opinions. He prefers to say, sincerely, I am sure, "It doesn't matter what I think, or you think, or anybody else thinks, but what does the Bible say?" and then he quotes what the Bible says and stresses it. A strong man physically, he presents his premises plainly, deduces his conclusion fearlessly, confirms the argument by the Book of books, and then says with all the power of his stentorian voice: "That's not my opinion; that's not my think so; that's what the Bible says. What are you going to do about it? You'll have to answer that t question at the judgment. You'd better answer it now."

He makes no plea for sympathy, nor does he plead for pelf. He seems to say: "As for me and mine, the Lord and I can take care of us." In the social circle Brother Davis is intensely interesting, freely culling from his long and varied experiences material for conversation. If he and his Christian wife ever come this way again, they are sure to be warmly welcomed. They are making a tour of the country, to get acquainted with the faithful, especially to strengthen weak places in the cause and to do good wheresoever they go. We wish them Godspeed. They prefer to not tarry long at any place, but to follow the example of those of whom we read, who, in the long, long ago, "went everywhere preaching the word." --Gospel Advocate, March 8, 1928, 230.

He preached in Kentucky and Missouri. He had the following known debates:

(1) H. B. Taylor (Missionary Baptist Church); near Bee Lick, KY; January 11-14, 1921; 8 sessions.

Here is a newspaper announcement and follow up: "Public Debate. There will be a public debate of four days beginning January 11, 1921, at 10 a.m., at the Bethel Church of Christ, near Bee Lick, Ky. The speakers will be Evangelist J.L. Davis of the Church of Christ and Eld. H.B. Taylor of the Missionary Baptist Church. There will be two sessions and dinner on ground each day. Everybody come and bring something good to eat and see who is on the Lord's side." -- The Somerset Journal, Dec. 3, 1920.

"Davis - Taylor Debate. Rev. W.E. Hunter asks us to announce again the debate which is scheduled to take place in Somerset on June 28th between J.S. Davis and H.B. Taylor. The debate will likely be held at the Court House and will begin about 9:30 each morning. There will be no night sessions. The subject for discussion, it is said, will be the same as took place in the county last year. "The Church of Christ, of which I, J.L. Davis, am a member, and known by my brethren as the Church of Christ, is scriptural in origin, name, doctrine and practice." Mr. Davis will have the affirmative and Mr. Taylor the negative. This debate will take up the first two days, then the next two days will be taken up with the following subject: "Missionary Baptist Churches, one of which I, H.B. Taylor, am a member, are scriptural in origin, name, doctrine and practice." Mr. Taylor will have the affirmative and Mr. Davis the negative. Rev. Davis is considered an "anti," that is not recognized by the Church of Christ or the Christian Church. As we stated last week, we know of no good earthly that can come from such a debate.

"Several of The Journal's valuable subscribers and friends in the northern part of the county have taken exceptions to the article appearing recently which stated that Rev. J.L. Davis was not recognized by the Church of Christ or Christian Church. They maintain that the Church of Christ is a separate institution from the Christian Church and that Rev. Davis is recognized by all the Churches of Christ in the county. All the controversy came about by the recent debate between Rev. Taylor and Rev. Davis. The Journal makes this statement so that our readers may know that Rev. Davis has a certain following in the county and is recognized in some places. We do not desire to enter into a religious debate and for that reason have refused to publish many articles that have come to us-- The Somerset Journal, July 8, 1921.

A. C. Grider wrote: "I had not been preaching very long until a dispute arose befallen my home congregation and the local Methodist preacher. It was decided that a debate be conducted.Time and place and subjects were agreed upon and two preachers were invited in to represent the respective positions. The Methodist people sent off and got a "Greek Scholar" to represent them in the discussion. The congregation where I worshiped retained old Brother J.L. Davis to plead our case. The battle was joined and the debate was conducted before a standing room only audience. Never has there been a more complete victory for truth. Though Brother Davis was an uneducated man, he demolished the Greek Scholar so completely that the latter quit the debate and let another man finish his part of the discussion. From that day until this day I have never seen a man who differed with me that I would refuse to meet in public discussion."

(2). Ben M. Bogard (Missionary Baptist Church); Somerset, KY; January 25-28, 1930; 4 days.

Sources

• US Census, 1900
• www.findagrave.com - biography - photos - gravestone