This revered father in Israel acted such an important part in the development and growth of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in North-west Missouri, and his memory is so enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him, that it would be a great injustice on all hands not to give his life and works more than an ordinary notice. Therefore, presbytery directed that a lengthy notice be furnished to the Church papers.

Brother Wayman was born in Rowan county, North Carolina, October 26th, 1811. He was of Scotch descent. His father was a local preacher in the Methodist Church. He died when his son John was in his seventh year. His mother moved to Tennessee when he was ten years old. His opportunity for securing an education was very poor. On the 19th of September, 1833, he was married to Miss Amie Barnett, who was but eleven days younger than himself, and who survives him. He professed religion at Fork Creek, in the summer of 1842, joined the Corn Tassel congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was soon after elected and ordained ruling elder.

He was taken under the care of Hiwassee Presbytery in the fall of 1844, and licensed to preach in the spring of 1847. In the fall of 1849 he moved to Clay county, Missouri, in the bounds of Barnett Presbytery. In the fall of 1850 he moved to Gentry county, in the bounds of Platte Presbytery, and, in the fall of 1852 was, by this presbytery, set apart to the whole work of the gospel ministry.

He organized several congregations, and was faithful and devoted to his work until old age, preaching to his home church most of the time from its organization at an early day until within a few years of his death.

He managed his business matters very wisely, and accumulated a competence for his family. And yet he was liberal with his means, and ready at all times to aid the enterprises of the Church. He loved his own Church dearly, laboring and sacrificing much that he might help to increase its efficiency in saving souls.

He was always ready to encourage and help the young men who were preparing for the ministry. Well does the writer remember his kindness to him in those days to him so dark, when he was preparing for the work before him.

He made wise distribution of his property to the several members of his family, and awaited the bidding of the Lord. At home, in a good old age, on the 17th of June, 1887, he calmly passed from earth to his home in the skies. Those who knew him need not be told that "all is well."

He left a short sketch of his life written by himself, and, at the memorial service held by Platte Presbytery on Friday, September 23d, this was read. Rev. F. M. Miller, who had been his co-laborer from his earliest ministry, preached a memorial sermon from Hebrews iv. 9, the bereaved widow and devoted mother in Israel, now nearly seventh six years old, and one son, John S. Wayman, being present. The latter is a licentiate under the care of Platte Presbytery. O that God may make him as devoted, energetic, liberal, self-denying, and useful a minister of the gospel as his father was!

Presbytery, by a unanimous vote, adopted the following resolutions:

Whereas, God in his inscrutable providence, has removed from toil and labor on earth our beloved brother and fellow-laborer, the late Rev. John Wayman, whom he has taken from the councils of the Church, from public pulpit ministrations, from the endearments and solace of a home made lonely and sad by his absence, from the comforting and assisting of young men to whom he was so encouraging and helpful by his cheering words and beneficial aid, from the enterprises and charities of the Church to which he gave his generous support; therefore,

Resolved, 1. That this Presbytery, on Friday, September 23d, 1887, at 11 o'clock A.M., hold a memorial service, and that Brother Miller preach a memorial sermon in memory of his worth.

2. That we tender to his deeply afflicted widow and bereaved family our sincere sympathy and condolence.

3. That we accept this as a voice from God, warning us to be diligent in our work in completing what he begun.

4. That from a sense of our necessities, we pray God to fill up our fast depleting ranks with men of his own choosing.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, October 20, 1887, page 2]