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]

A well-known divine passed away. A remarkable concourse of the best citizens of Lafayette and Christian County assembled yesterday, January 31, to pay a last tribute of esteem to one of the best-beloved ministers in all the Church. Rev. Israel Joiner was always considered one of the safest counselors of the Church, and his remarkable life reads like a pastoral poem written in the peace of God. He was born, grew up, lived, loved, and died in the same County. An extended notice of the life and work of this exceptionally sweet-spirited man of God will no doubt appear in the columns of the press of his Church.--Rev. A. C. Biddle.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, February 13, 1919, page 15]

Rev. Israel G. Joiner was born December 31, 1836, and died January 30, 1919. He was born, raised, lived, and died at his home near Lafayette, Ky. To say that we will miss him is not enough. We have not any words to express how much we will miss him. When the weather would permit, he was always at church with a smile and a word of encouragement for us all. He drank from the fountain of God's love, which filled him with holy enthusiasm for the salvation of souls and the success of Christ's kingdom on earth. Brother Joiner was cultured, refined, kindhearted, and true and was loved and respected by every one that knew him. Though he sleeps, yet he lives in the hearts of those who have been saved by his influence or guided by his counsel. Words cannot do full justice to this beautiful character and devoted Christian. He gave his heart to God in early life and soon felt the call to preach, and he had preached God's word and the "who-soever-will" gospel for sixth-six years. He leaves four sons, their wives and children, and a host of friends to be lonely without him; but we know our loss is his gain, and we only trust that we may all meet Brother Joiner in "the sweet by and by"; therefore be it
Resolved: 1. That we bow in humble submission to the will of God that has opened the door of heaven and invited Brother Joiner in to live with him and his heavenly host in that beautiful city of light, the home of the soul, that blissful abode whereunto we are all journeying and hope to meet him and all of the redeemed, and with them to enjoy the perfect bliss of an endless heaven.
2. That we express the sympathy and condolence of the session and entire Church to the family of our beloved Brother Joiner.
3. That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the bereaved sons and to The Cumberland Presbyterian and a copy be placed upon our Church book.

Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. Wilson Taylor,
E. C. Stevenson.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, February 27, 1919, page 14]