This humble man of God was born in Christian County, Kentucky, December 31, 1836, the last day of the year, the last day of the month, and the last day of the weak. He was the last child of his father's family and last one living. He is ripe in years and rich in experience and Christian graces. His parents were Thomas and Nancy (Ezell) Joiner. His father was highly esteemed for his many virtues, and his mother was very religious, and devoted to her church. An eccentric neighbor, passing by where Thomas Joiner was plowing, in company with another man, said: "If I had been God Almighty, in making men, I would have made a lot of Tommy Joiners, and then a few doctors, then another lot of Tommy Joiners, and no lawyers at all, for they would have starved to death." No wonder Israel Green grew up to be an exemplary Christian man and an honored ministry of the gospel--a man with such parentage and training could scarcely be otherwise.
His parents were uneducated, so far as book knowledge was concerned, and determined that their children should have better advantages than they. So young Joiner enjoyed all the advantages they could give him in the country schools. When Rev. A. J. Baird, D.D., was president of old Cumberland College, located at Princeton, Ky. He was induced by Dr. Baird to enter the institution as a student. Among the candidates for the ministry in school at that time were: J. H. Nickle, J. C. Armstrong, P. H. Crider, H. C. Onyett, G. W. Kinsolving and M. M. Smith. Of this number all have passed into the Great Beyond except this subject and Brother Smith.
When a child Brother Joiner was very frail, never strong and robust like most young men.
November 6, 1856, he was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Hudson, of Trigg County, Ky. They lived together for over fifty years, and led a happy and useful life.
Brother Joiner is a small man physically--never weighing over one hundred twenty-five pounds, and at present, only ninety six pounds. He says: "I take comfort in the thought that gold is found in small quantities." There is no mistake that he is coined from the genuine metal. A true diamond, polished by the grace of God, and training of Christian parents, until he shines with a superior luster. His greatness is in his innate goodness, and that humility of heart that characterizes a true child of God.
In early life he joined the Methodist Church, and became a licensed preacher in that communion, but soon became dissatisfied with its doctrines, and especially that of apostacy. He also objected to its form of church government, and withdrew therefrom, and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was received as a licensed preacher by old Anderson Presbytery.
He has always been a very modest man, never courting worldly fame, nor asserting his own--just working along in his own sphere, doing all the good he could and as little evil as possible. He has held many revival meetings, and no doubt hundreds can point to him as the man that led them to Christ. "He that winneth souls is wise."
This dear old brother is on the border land, and ere many years passes away, he will enter that rest that remains for the people of God. Although he is not a wealthy man, silver and gold could not buy him; he chose rather to suffer persecution and deprivation with his brethren than to enjoy the pleasure of 'larger things' even for a season.
Should I be so fortunate, when this weary life is over, as to enter the haven of eternal repose, I expect to strike hands with Israel G. Joiner amid the grand chorus of the Redeemed, "who have come up through great tribulations and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
"His latest sun is sinking fast,
His race is nearly run,
His greatest trials now are past--
His triumph just begun."
May the angels guard his last moments and take care that the expiring lamp of life shall be that of peaceful extinction.
[Source: Our Senior Soldiers: The Biographies and Autobiographies of Eighty Cumberland Presbyterian Preachers. Compiled by The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication. The Assistance of Revs. J. L. Price and W. P. Kloster is Greatfully Acknowledged. Nashville, Tenn.: The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915, pages 118-121]