JOHN C. LOVE

John C. Love, son of Hezekiah and Martha Love, was born in Roane co., Tenn., May 30, 1835. When five years old his father died. He lived, as an obedient and an affectionate son, with his widowed mother, struggling and laboring to support her and his younger brothers and sisters until seventeen years of age, when he went ten miles from home, and was clerk in a store for one year, after which, we find him in Louisville, Blount co., Tenn., engaged in the mercantile business until 1861, when he removed to Louisville, Ky., where he remained until 1864, when he returned to Knoxville, Tenn., and rented an hotel.  He had often taxed his eyes while book-keeping by doing too much work at night, and in 1861, his eyes were somewhat affected though no apprehensions of loss of sight were felt.  In June, 1864, he went to Louisville, Ky., to purchase furniture for his house, and while there he suffered much with a pain in  his eyes.  Inflammation ensued.  He came back as far as Nashville, and while there superintending the shipment of his goods, on one bright, hot  day, while on the streets, he felt his eyes closing, and his vision becoming obscured. He found his way back to his room in the hotel, and while sitting at his window, in full view of the State house, his eyes closed in perpetual darkness.  He said the last thing he ever saw on earth was the Capitol of his native State -- and doubtless the next that greeted his restored vision were the domes of the "eternal city". He was brought by friends to Knoxville, thence to his home near Kingston, where he remained for weeks in suffering and sadness, perfectly helpless.  When he was just able to be led about the house by his sister, he put his hands upon her face that he might call to mind her features.  "One thing," said he, "above all others on earth I desire to see once more -- that is my mother's face."   With his fingers he pulled open his eyelids, but those sightless balls beheld not again that loved face bathed in tears.  In 1865 he visited the infirmary in Boston, with some hope of recovering sight; but who can describe the sadness when the oculist informed him that he was doomed never to behold earth's beauties again.  Notwithstanding he was not a Christian, yet he was a noble and generous young man.  He loved the Sabbath-school from his childhood to the day of his death.  He resigned himself to his blindness, and now began to seek earnestly for light from God to illuminate his spiritual vision; but long and dark was the night of repentance.  He seemed to feel that God had forsaken him, as he had so mysteriously lost his sight; and he was slow to believe that there was any light for him.  Not until Feb., 1874, at a meeting in Kingston, did he realize the pardon of sin, and begin to live "as seeing him how is invisible."   It was in 1866 that I first met him on board a steam-boat bound for Chattanooga, whither I was going to my charge.  He attended my church at a meeting while in the city, and there began our friendship -- such as I had found with but few -- which lasted until God took him.  Never have I known a better friend to the M.E. Church, South, of which he was a member.  He loved all her institutions, her worship, her communion, and more than all, her faithful ministry.  He especially loved her noble Christian Advocate and its editor.  What Dr. Summers said was both law and gospel with him.  Oft have I read from its pages the sayings of that man of God, which fell as manna upon his soul, while his face would glow with delight.  Mr. Editor, pardon me, sir; for it would do your soul good to know how much light and comfort, through God's grace, you have poured upon the soul of my blind friend, John C. Love.  He was endowed with more than ordinary intellect, cultivated by reading.  He loved books, had them read to him, and would often call up in the most striking manner favorite passages.  He  was one of the finest conversationalists I have ever known.  Liberal, though blind, often giving of his limited means to the poor.  Scorning the thought of dependence, he tried in many ways to make means to assist his widowed mother, and to aid the Church and poor.  Some two years since he engaged in the mercantile business with the belief that he could make something with which to do good, but being blind he had to trust to others, and his health failing he failed in business, which seemed to crush him.  He measurably recovered from the depression, but his health failing fast had its effect upon him.  He was heard to say that it would be a good time for him to die as it seemed he could do nothing more here.  For the last several months of his life he was mainly confined to his room.  He fondly hoped to live to the time of the District Conference, whish is soon to convene in his town, that he might meet many of the preachers, all of whom he loved; but God ordered otherwise.  His mind was in sympathy with his suffering body, so that he was not fully aware of the nearness of his end; yet, in conversation with his sister, he said he had no fears of death -- the way was not dark.  On the morning of the day on which he died he called for his brother,  and took him by the hand, and with emphasis said, repeating it, "I am faithful, I am faithful."   He laid himself down, was stricken with paralysis, and spoke no more.  At half-past 2 P.M., on the 20^th of April, 1876, he fell on sleep as calmly as sleeps the infant on the mother's breast.  Rest thou, my brother, where the veil is taken away.

S. Phillips.
Eagle Furnace, Tenn.

Source: Christian Advocate (Nashville),page 12:
Date of Obituary: June 3, 1876