The Story of Love H. Jameson.
Love Jameson came into this world on May 17, 1811 in Indian, Kentucky. His parents were from Virginia. His father had departed Virginia in 1795 while his mother left in 1803. Shortly after they had arrived in the new territory of Indiana, they were married. In the fall of 1810 they settled on a creek named “Indian” Kentucky, in that county and territory
Love’s father’s name was Thomas Jameson. His parents had been members of the Kirk of Scotland and this fact shows why he was baptized as an infant and was raised as a die-hard Calvinist. Love’s mother held to the doctrine of the Church of England but for some unknown reason she had not been christened according to the doctrines of the Church of England. This was a family mystery that had defied explanation. Some accused her of holding to the doctrine of Arminius which was radically different to what the Church of England PRACTICED. These differences led to heated discussions on these distinct doctrines which each held. It was going to bring difficulty into Love’s life as he grew up.
But united in heart and fortune, they soon came also to “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.” In the year 1816, by the hand of John McClung, a young coadjutor of B. W. Stone, they were immersed into the Lord Jesus and became members of the old Christian Church.
In spring of 1818 Thomas came to know a man named Joseph Bryant, a brother in-law to Alexander Campbell. Thomas heard for the first heard for the first time that of Mr. Campbell and of the changes which came about the “return to the ancient order.” A pamphlet published by Thomas and Alexander Campbell was entitled “The Basis of Christian Union.” This came in 1809, a full three years before they removed from the Presbyterian Church Jameson was delighted with the contents but heard nothing more until of that Reformation until the year 1826.
Love Jameson held a deep respect for the Scriptures and was very pleased with the ideas that were associated with those who were calling for a return to the “ancient order.” He had memorized large portions of them to memory as a youth and he regarded them as being an end to wrangling over various thoughts and doctrines. His education had been a difficult one as it was for virtually everyone who grew up in the one-room schoolhouse that held all the children of every age and sort. There was nothing beyond those readers and spellers used by the schoolmasters of those primitive days. His first teacher was a tyrant. It was a mixed blessing that schooling was a hit-or-miss thing. Had he been kept under the blows of these tyrants he might have developed a hatred of education which ultimately might be his un-doing. But, this did not happen. He was educated mostly by his parents who used patience with their oldest child, Love. Before age three they had purchased a primer for him and he soon learned letters and numbers. He then rapidly advanced in both spelling and penmanship. By age 7 he was a good scribe. From 1818-1828 he attended school each winter while summers were spent laboring on the farm with his father. He studied arithmetic because they entertained some fool idea that studying English Grammar would make them fools. (more so than already?) Love was also known for reading every single book or scrap that he could get his hands upon and storing up that knowledge for whatever reason that he had. It was a very good thing for him to do as it led to his general overall superiority to the children who never bothered. Some books that he managed to read was: “Weems’ Lives of Washington and Marion,” “ The History of the Twelve Caesars,” an old “ History of London,” and a stray copy of “Morse’s Geography,” containing numerous historical accounts, were read and re-read until he could repeat many portions of them from memory. The historical portions of the Old Testament, also—especially those relating to the deliverance and subsequent wars of the Israelites, were made as familiar as the tales of the nursery.
It should be noted that besides his general hunger for knowledge he exhibited a talent for music. He was a great singer and was always willing to break out in song. This is perhaps part of his reason for composing gospel hymns such as the number that can still be seen in our gospel songbooks that we even still sing to this day.
He was a formidable opponent to anyone who would find themselves his opposite in the private discussions of those days. Religious discussions were carried on far and wide in those days. These were of frequent occurrence; for Beverly Vawter was already presenting, with clearness and boldness, the distinctive features of the Reformation, while all his fellow-preachers, and many of the common people, were bitterly opposing him.
For some time, previous to that the Reformers had rather outnumbered those who held fast the traditions of the fathers; but, the event of the preceding night being known, a great many rallied under the orthodox banner, and, for a single day, restored that party to the ascendancy. They controlled the meeting; they preached; they invited mourners to the altar; and had the satisfaction of seeing many “converted.” About noon the great assembly repaired to the water, songs being sung all the way. On the bank of the stream Elder Jameson con¬fessed the Saviour, and was straightway immersed by one who understood, as well as himself, the design of the ordinance.
From this time forth there was great religious excitement in that region. But the way which they called heresy, gradually gained ground despite the most obstinate resistance. Elder Jameson took a prominent part in every social meeting; and it was soon insinuated that he had a talent for preaching, and that the command was to “occupy.” Especially did Elder Vawter, and an aged brother McMillan, urge him to do the work of an evange¬list. Yielding to their importunities, he consented; and on the evening of December 25th, 1829, he preached his first discourse. From that time on to a period of thirty years, he had been constantly before the public.
During the year 1830 he was engaged in teaching his younger brothers and sisters. While he taught others he was constantly engaged in his own education on whatever topic he was searching after. He began to study Greek. His textbook was “Ironside’s Grammar” Unfortunately, it was written in Latin and he knew not Latin so the challenge was all the greater! Yet, with the assistance of lexicons and of a teacher he was ultimately to overcome every challenge that he faced.
During this time Jameson worked along with Vawter to hold meetings in New Castle, Georgetown, Clintonville and other places in Kentucky. On this tour he met Elders F.R. Palmer, Racoon John Smith, John Rogers, J.T. Johnson as well as other distinguished pioneers from that state. He appreciated their kind thoughts and words of encouragement. When he got home he went right back to preaching and teaching the Word. Now, his labors were bearing fruit and he was seeing large numbers of baptisms among those of his pupils.
In 1833 he “went back to school” at Rising Sun. D.D. Pratt was the principle. He spent the summer and fall in the seminary of that place where he studied English Grammar, Algebra, Rhetoric, and Greek. He paid his tuition by teaching preparatory classes at the seminary and preached for a congregation out in the countryside. This group experienced accelerated growth under his labors. The Word was bearing fruit!
He left the seminary in November and went home where he engaged to teach for the winter. This, his last school closed in March of 1834 and he buckled down getting himself ready to preach the gospel for the remainder of his days. His father tried to discourage him but his mind was made up and he was to continue, no matter what the price.
On April 1, 1834 he said his goodbyes and set off for a preaching appointment(s) in the state of Ohio. He proceeded to Cincinnati by way of Burlington, Kentucky. He crossed the river late in the day at Covington and found himself on the Queen of the West. After crossing he stayed at the welcome home of a young disciple who he spent several days with. He next went to Carthage where he located Walter Scott. They held several interesting meetings with Scott and traveled to State Line, to hold a meeting for John O’Kane. This led them to meet Elder Carey Smith of Indianapolis. They then learned that every church in town was closed against them. A barn is where they held their meeting. I can imagine Walter Scott preaching in a barn-something that he undoubtably had to do at some time or another. Scott was a little disappointed that there were only 30 persons there so he rolled himself up in his coat and took a nap in the hay loft. Smith then preached while Jameson provided a grand exhortation for those attending. A good number obeyed and they resorted to the river where the baptizing was done. A great, concourse of people were present, and among them a local preacher by the name of Lincoln, who fearing an invasion of the “Methodist Zion”, determined to offer battle at the water. Elder Scott immediately took his position on a large boulder and commenced replying to Mr. Lincoln’s questions. His faithful co-laborers took their positions around him, Testaments in hand; and as soon as Mr. Lincoln would put a question they would turn to the passage containing the proper answer, and hand it up to Elder Scott, who would read it aloud, making such comments as he deemed pertinent. This done, all were ready for another question and another reply. Thus, until the enemy was silenced, raged the Battle of White Water, fought with weapons “not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” By the singular contest an intense religious interest was awakened in the whole community. From that time till the close of the meeting the “barn” was filled to overflowing; and before they left the town a goodly number had been added to the saved. This was the beginning of the Harrison church, which was organized in July following with over forty members.
On returning to Ohio he found letters urging him to assume the pastoral care of the church at Dayton. This call he accepted, and in June 1835, removed to that city. Soon afterward he visited Connersville, Indiana, where he assisted John O’Kane in a protracted meeting. Together they then went to Rushville, and thence to Indianapolis, then an insignificant town of a few hundred inhabitants, having not a single railroad, and consequently as little communication with the rest of the world as Jerusalem had with Samaria. Bespattered with mud, and wet as a drenching rain could make them, they entered the court-house where a few persons had assembled; and soon forgot the sufferings of this present time in contemplating the glory that shall be revealed hereafter. At this meeting Elder Jameson met, for the first time, John L. Jones, P. M. Blankenship, Butler K. Smith, and other pioneer evangelists.
In the Winter of 1837 he attended the Campbell and Purcell debate, at Cincinnati; and took part in the long series of meetings which followed that exciting discussion.
In the month of April of the same year he resigned his charge at Dayton, and returned to his old, first field at Carthage, where he found a true yoke-fellow in the person of Dr. L. L. Pinkerton. He spent his time preaching on a regular basis for the churches at Harrison, Burlington and White Oak. Being ever busy and always on his way somewhere, he toured through Rush and Fayette counties in Indiana.
His life took a major change of direction when in December of 1837 he was joined to Elizabeth M. Clark. This woman was of an excellent spirit and soon came to know Jesus Christ and the blessings that are found in him.
For the next two or three years he continued to travel and preach as formerly, being present, in the Winter of 1839—40, at the great meeting in Cincinnati, which continued one hundred days.
Looking ahead to the month of May 1841, Bro. Jamison moved to Madison where he became the preacher for that group. He began it with bright cheer but somehow doom and gloom came along with the close of the year.
On a beautiful day in June, his wife was walking in the garden when she suddenly was seized by some form of illness which took her life on the spot.
After this terrible misfortune, he continued on in his service to the Madison church until the fall of 1842.
He had undertaken a tour through the Wabash country, which included the cities of Terra Haute, Crawfordsville, Lafayette, and Indianapolis.
When he was closing the meeting at Indianapolis he was approached by members of the congregation who invited him to move to Indianapolis and to labor with the church. After due consideration he decided to accept the offer and do so on the 5th of October, 1842, he entered upon the duties of his new work. Before leaving Madison, however, he was again married, to Miss Elizabeth K. Robinson, of that city.
He had a great opportunity when he was working with Bro. B.W. Stone in September of 1843 at the Illinois State Meeting, which convened that year at Springfield. After its adjournment, he spent a month in visiting important points in Illinois.
In 1845, the State Meeting, which met at Columbus, Indiana, appointed him and Elder John O’Kane to evangelize in the southwestern part of the State. They worked very hard at this employment and sought to preach the gospel even during the excitement that was leading up to the Mexican-American War.
For several years before this he worked under the church at the capital as well as congregations which were in that area. Each gave a part and this led to all being blessed by his labors.
He began to preach much less in Indiana but has continued to live there. He travels to and from the scenes of his labors. He keeps up his regular monthly appointments at some four different churches; and availing himself of the excellent facilities afforded by the numerous railroads
From first to last he has been successful in his ministry; and the Lamb’s book of life will reveal many a name written therein through his instrumentality.
Love Jameson doesn’t look like a hardy pioneer but he obviously is one. Besides silver hair and long beard, he doesn’t look his age. His service to the King has kept him young. His black, restless eye has lost none of its youthful fire; and he who has known him for a score of years can scarcely detect any loss of grace or elasticity in his step. He weighs about one hundred and forty-five pounds; is about five feet nine inches high, rather slender, and as straight as an Indian.
He has, as could be said “lifted himself by his bootstraps.” He is and was a self-made -man. His labors have lifted him from humbler to more noble visage. But he is easily approached, uniformly courteous, and always sociable, unless his attention hap¬pens to be engrossed with some particular subject
He has not written extensively for the public, but has for many years contributed sparingly to the Christian Record, Millennial Harbinger, and other organs of the brotherhood. It costs him much labor to write for the press; for he composes slowly and with great care; and his manuscript, before it leaves his hand, must be in appearance altogether unexceptionable. It may be on this account that he has not been a more frequent contributor. His prose essays certainly compare most favorably with the productions of many whose names, in full, appear almost weekly in some of the religious papers. Though he does not claim to be a poet, he has written some very respectable hymns, a few of which have recently appeared, over his initials, in “The Weekly Christian Record.” They can be found in Sacred Selections For The Church.
After a long career of preaching the gospel and leading other to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, Love Jameson departed this life on MAY 1, 1892. HE WAS AGE 81.