The subject of this sketch was well-known to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He fell on the battlefield "somewhere in France" late in October. The Rev. John Alexander Deaver preceded the writer as pastor of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Tenn. He was an efficient pastor and was loved by all who knew him. He felt called to the service of his country and entered the work of the Army Y.M.C.A. Not being contented in this work, he made application to become chaplain in the United States Army and soon received his commission. He proved his metal as a faithful and courageous soldier; he was unwilling to remain behind when the orders were given for his men to go "over the top;" and he will be remembered in history as one of those who gave their all for country and the liberation of the world. In his death we have lost a true friend, the United States a brave soldier and patriotic citizen, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church one of her best-prepared and most-loved ministers.

A memorial service was held in the Jackson Church on the fourth Sunday in December, when many words of love and appreciation were spoken in honor of his memory. Brother Deaver was held in highest esteem by the people of Jackson, both in and out of his Church. The following letter from his mother was read at the memorial service, which tells in more fitting words than mine the story of his life:

"Dear Christian Friends at Jackson, Tenn., we feel we could not answer the tender words of sympathy that have come to us from the people of Jackson and will take this method of thanking you all. You have no idea how much these good messages stirred our hearts and helped us out in this, the most trying time of our lives. Again we thank you, and God bless you every one.

"How glad I would be, were it possible to be in your memorial service to-day; but I'm glad to send a brief sketch of our dear boy's early life. John Alexander Deaver was born May 25, 1885, at Cleveland, Ala., Route No. 1. There had never been a boy in my father's family; I was anxious for a son; I promised the Lord if he would give me a son, I would loan him unto the Lord all the days of his life. You can imagine with what joy I looked upon this child.

"Many's the time, while his dear little head was pillowed on my arm, did I look far ahead to the time when he, like Samuel, would go forth to do the Lord's work. I have always looked upon him as my little gift to God. But I kept all these things in my own heart. He was always healthy and developed rapidly. In his early school days I soon discovered that he was enthused with his books, as long as I was interested. In a way I stood by him till tastes and ambitions were formed. I was anxious that he form a love of good books. He cared little for them; he loved out-of-door sports; and whatever he did, whether work or play, he did with all his might.

"He was brought up in the Sunday school, professed faith in Christ at the early age of ten years, and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. When he was about nineteen years old he entered the Ninth District Agricultural School at Bluntsville. Here his early love for public speaking and debating was developed. The boys called him 'Abe Lincoln,' because he most always won the decision. He graduated three years later. He now began to talk about his future work. He seemed anxious to choose a profession that would be most helpful to mankind. The following year he taught school at Elba, in Coffee County, near Florida. This was a long way from home, or seemed so, to us at that time. Our separation was very painful indeed; while he loved all the family dearly, yet he was always mother's boy. In all our correspondence he expressed himself freely.

"It was while teaching at this place that we received a letter which ran something like this: 'It is now midnight, but I'm just as happy as I can be. I have given myself fully to God and expect to be an humble minister of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.' Oh, the joy of that letter! God was pleased with my offering, and I was pleased with my gift. He joined Springville Presbytery at Alder Springs the following summer and was licensed to preach. By his untiring energy he won a scholarship in Southern University at Greensboro, a Southern Methodist school. (We had lost our Church school at Lebanon.) Here he made many warm friends. The next year he was pastor of the East Lake Church and three other churches in his own county, one of them being his home church, and attended Birmingham College. This was a year of much joy to the home folks. His monthly visits, so full of good cheer; lingers with us yet.

"The next year East Lake Church asked him for his full time. Here he continued his studies in Howard College, a Baptist school, and did the work of a regular pastor. Two years later he received the A.M. degree. He then resigned his work at East Lake to enter the University of Chicago--the war coming on and times so unsettled his course as unfinished. But he has passed beyond my tender solicitation; he's with Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and all the great characters he loved and admired so much. He's gone to that happy country where there's no more war, no more long marches, no more weary nights of uncertainty, no more longing for home letters that never reached him. Gone to meet the Master, face to face; freely laid down his life, like our Saviour, that we might have a safe place to live.

"We know God suffers many things to come to pass that seem to us a great calamity. We do not know why this noble life fell so early; we do not question God's goodness and wisdom. He doeth all things well. We will all remember his upright walk, his cheerfulness, kindness, earnest prayers, and exhortations. May the influence of his life go on bearing fruit for the Master is the prayer of his devoted mother.
                                        Mrs. F. E. Deaver."

This letter written by Brother Deaver's own mother is a beautiful tribute to his strong Christian character and a most valuable lesson to the mothers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
      Jackson, Tenn.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, January 9, 1919, pages 3-4]